The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of the 1990s revolutionized welfare in America, introducing work requirements for cash assistance and reminding us of a fundamental truth: Those who can work, should work.
This principle not only restored dignity to millions of Americans but also saved taxpayer dollars and strengthened our economy.
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act has ushered in a second age of welfare reform — one that builds on the successes of the past and reaffirms this administration’s commitment to the dignifying power of work.
The expanded work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid are not just about fiscal responsibility, though they do save taxpayer dollars, but about reinforcing the values that make our nation strong. The American people understand this.
But we can do more than work requirements to better inspire the American worker. If we expect a culture of work, we must also cultivate the resources families need to succeed.
Today, that means businesses, states, and the federal government working together to expand a wide array of child care options so parents can work, earn a living, find self-sufficiency and thereby reduce dependence on government welfare programs.
Put simply, the best social program is a family, and the best economic program is a job. Child care is an investment in both.
Trump’s commitment to the American family is well-known. Under his first term, he dramatically increased discretionary child-care funding so states could create more child care supply, reduce or eliminate waitlists and serve more children.
We are building on this legacy, because we believe parents should have options that fit their work schedules, lifestyles and values. Whether it’s care during non-traditional hours, home-based providers or faith-based options, families deserve the flexibility to choose what works best for them.
This administration’s commitment to expanding choice in education is well known, and the same principle applies here: Families should have the freedom to select child care that aligns with their unique needs and values.
To make this vision a reality, we must recognize that many child care providers are small businesses. For parents to have access to child care options, we need to support the entrepreneurs who want to start and run these businesses.
At the federal level, this means reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens that require states to misallocate funds and drive-up the cost of care, while restoring flexibility so states can invest federal resources to create more child care supply. Now, we’re calling on state leaders to seize this opportunity.
They should prioritize building systems that increase the availability of child care, equip child care entrepreneurs to succeed, and meet the needs of working families. The Administration for Children and Families, where I serve as acting assistant secretary, is here to reduce administrative burdens and offer flexibility so states can focus on what matters most: delivering results for families.
This is also a moment for partnership. Employers have a vital role to play in building a system that works for America’s families, and states should be bringing businesses to the table to coordinate their efforts.
To encourage employers to play a larger role in addressing the child care needs of working families, Trump expanded Section 45F, making it even more useful to small businesses, the backbone of America’s economy.
This tax credit incentivizes businesses to offer child care options for their employees, creating a win-win solution. Employers who invest in child care will attract and retain more qualified employees. Meanwhile, parents gain access to child care options that meet their needs.
The Trump administration believes that the strength of our nation lies in its families, its workforce and the opportunity of the American Dream. By pairing expanded work requirements with meaningful federal prioritization of child care, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act paves the way for a future where families can achieve lasting independence.
Now is the time for states to act, increase the supply of child care, and build a brighter future for American families.
Andrew Gradison is acting assistant secretary for children and families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
