Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
Introduced
Summary
Expands Head Start eligibility by broadening "public assistance". This bill would amend the Head Start Act to explicitly list specific federal and state nutrition, income, and housing benefits as forms of public assistance so more children could qualify for Head Start based on the benefits their households receive.
Show full summary
- Families with young children: Receipt of listed benefits such as part A of title IV (TANF), title XVI benefits (SSI), SNAP, and certain child nutrition assistance would count toward Head Start eligibility, making it easier for benefit-recipient households to qualify.
- Children in subsidized housing: Households receiving assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 would be treated as receiving public assistance for Head Start purposes, potentially expanding access for children in voucher-assisted homes.
- Tribal and state food programs: The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and state-funded food assistance programs with SNAP-like income rules would be included, clarifying eligibility for tribal families and state program recipients.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More Head Start access for families
If enacted, this would expand what counts as “public assistance” for Head Start. Families who get TANF, SSI, SNAP, NAP, FDPIR, state SNAP‑like benefits, school nutrition aid, or Section 8 vouchers could have those benefits count when applying for Head Start. That could let more children qualify for Head Start services. The change does not set new funding or an effective date and lets the Secretary add other federal benefits.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Turner (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Jackson (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Gonzalez, V.
TX • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Friedman
CA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 1/31/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 2/5/2025
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/5/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
OH • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Cisneros
CA • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Castro (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 3/25/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov