Vance-Backed Rule Would Extend Child Care Subsidies to Stay-at-Home Parents

The Trump administration is drafting a rule to allow married stay-at-home parents to receive federal child care subsidies, a first-of-its-kind change reported by The New York Times on Saturday. The proposal would use the $12 billion Child Care and Development Fund, which currently helps low-income parents work or study, to pay one married parent to care for their child while a spouse works at least 35 hours weekly. Unmarried couples and non-working single parents remain ineligible, and families must earn below 85% of state median income. Vice President JD Vance has prioritized the change, which draws from legislation by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and appears in Project 2025. It requires White House approval and a public comment period, potentially taking effect next year. Critics warn without added funding, it would strain single working parents and providers.