Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) says he introduced the Free Childcare for America Act, and he is not being shy about it. In his telling, it is "the boldest childcare proposal we have ever had."

In a post on X on Sunday, Khanna said the bill "would provide free childcare to millions, while giving families the flexibility to choose the form of childcare that works best for them."

Khanna's Video Pitch

In an accompanying video, Khanna said the legislation means child care "will be free for every American family." Families could use a registered, licensed child care center, or have "friends, neighbours, aunts, uncles, grandparents" become certified and get paid to provide care.

Khanna added that parents could also "stay at home as a parent and get a thousand dollars a month for all of the labour of parenting." He said the bill would increase the supply of child care workers and that they "would be paid at least a living wage."

"This is the boldest proposal that we've ever had on child care," Khanna said, adding, "This is the time to pass free child care for all of America."

Details and Cost

Khanna is pitching a nearly $1 trillion, 10-year package that creates three taxpayer-funded pathways to universal childcare, according to ABC News on Friday.

Khanna told ABC News in a phone interview that "the biggest thing killing us is childcare." He suggested ways to offset the cost, including savings from ending the war in Iran, $400 billion in revenue from a 5% billionaire tax or a $200 billion cut to the Pentagon budget.

The $1,000 monthly benefit would go to eligible stay-at-home parents with a child under 3 and household income at or below 100% of their state's median, according to the report.

Political Backdrop

Khanna contrasted his plan with Vice President JD Vance's push to expand federal childcare subsidies of up to $9,000 annually to married couples with a stay-at-home parent. Khanna said Vance's approach tips the scales toward one choice, while his plan should be neutral among options.

House Democratic leaders have not endorsed the bill. Khanna told ABC he is considering a 2028 presidential run.

In July, Khanna listed $10-a-day childcare among five priorities for a Democratic House majority. Earlier this year, a report by the Joint Economic Committee Minority estimated the child care crisis could cost the U.S. economy as much as $329 billion over the next decade.

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