The Trump administration is drafting a proposal to direct federal childcare funds to married couples where one parent stays home to raise their children, according to a report by the New York Times.
The initiative is a major priority for Vice President JD Vance and aligns with past proposals by figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The policy is currently in the draft phase, and legal experts are reviewing whether it can be implemented without Congress.
Under the draft plan, married couples meeting certain income requirements could qualify for assistance by using funding from the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) that was established by President Bill Clinton. The CCDF is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services and was originally created to help low- and moderate-income working parents pay for daycare or school One spouse must work at least 35 hours per week, and the other must stay home to care for the children.
Families must also meet specific low- or moderate-income limits that can vary by state. Eligible families could receive roughly $9,000 per child annually.
Supporters say the plan values the work of parents raising children at home and gives families more choices, but critics warn that redirecting these funds could worsen current childcare shortages, pull resources away from low-income working parents who rely on outside care, and lengthen existing waiting lists.