The Trump Administration’s announcement that it would freeze more than $10 billion in federal funding for child care and family assistance programs in five Democratic-run states, including New York, drew pushback from top state officials.
“Families who rely on child care and family assistance programs deserve assurance that these resources are being used legally and for their intended purpose,” said Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill. “This action reflects our commitment to program integrity, fiscal responsibility, and compliance with federal requirements,” he said in his Jan. 6 statement.
The freeze affects important federal programs such as the Child Care and Development Fund, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Social Services Block Grant, which support subsidized child care, social assistance and related services.
The federal department also said that, through its Administration for Children and Families, it was rolling back 2024 child care rules that allowed states to base payments on enrollment rather than “verified attendance,” pay providers up front and prioritize guaranteed contractual places over parent-directed vouchers.
California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota were the other states hit hard by the freeze, all governed by Democrats. The five states have said they receive about $10 billion a year from these programs.
On January 9, a federal judge in Manhattan issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the Trump Administration from implementing the freeze while the case is heard in court. The lawsuit was backed by state Attorney General Letitia James and other officials from the other Democratic-governed states.
Top state officials criticized the federal move, including an initiative by New York’s governor to increase support for child care at the state level.
On Jan. 8, Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared on the daily talk show “Morning Joe,” where she discussed universal child care in the state, saying she doesn’t want people to move because of the high costs of care.
“We are on the path to universal child care,” he said. U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand of New York called the move “immoral and indefensible” and demanded that the administration reverse its decision.
“This has nothing to do with fraud and everything to do with political retaliation that punishes poor children who need help,” he declared.
U.S. Rep. Chuck Schumer of New York called the move “absolutely repugnant.”
“Trump is leaving millions of parents in the lurch who could now be left without child care options,” she said. «This goes beyond attacking Democratic states. “It is disrupting the lives of working families and making our children pay the price for political games.”
On January 8, Hochul held a press conference alongside New York City Mayor Zorhan Mamdani, announcing that the state will provide free child care for 2-year-olds in New York City and strengthen the existing 3K program.
Hochul also announced that he plans to allocate more than $4.5 billion during fiscal year 2027 to child care and preschool services statewide, and will propose making preschool truly universal statewide, expanding child care subsidies, and supporting other counties outside of NYC in implementing new child care pilot programs.
In this regard, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the state gubernatorial election in November, declared that he supports the provision of child care, but statewide.
“Universal child care and preschool help parents stay in the workforce and give children a good start, and I support making these programs available to working mothers and fathers across New York State,” Blakeman said in a statement.
“If universal child care is truly a priority for this administration, then it must be implemented fairly and statewide,” he added.
