Republican lawmakers block vital child care funding as Trump-Vance Admin make Head Start cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 17, 2026

BISMARCK — Today, Sen. Kathy Hogan proposed a bill to address the growing waitlist for childcare assistance in North Dakota. Republicans on the legislative management committee voted this proposal down.

This is happening as the Trump-Vance administration announced a plan to gut funding for the popular Head Start program, which has helped thousands of North Dakota families in ensure their children have the opportunities to thrive in school.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “It’s infuriating that as the Trump-Vance administration is gutting Head Start, Republican lawmakers on the Legislative Management committee refuse to take up child care funding in the special session. Nearly 1,900 North Dakota families are currently waiting for state childcare assistance, and they’re going to do nothing! Head Start and our child care assistance fund are lifelines for working families to ensure their kids are on the path to success. Democrats understand our children deserve better—we’ll keep fighting to protect Head Start while working to make childcare affordable for every North Dakota family.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
laura.dronen@demnpl.com