With Honor Action endorses H.R. 8336 / S. 4335: Helping Ensure Reliable Opportunities (HERO) in Childcare for Military Families Act, sponsored by For Country Caucus member Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA), a Navy veteran, and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), an Army Veteran, and co-led by Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
“When service members don’t have reliable, affordable childcare, it causes stress that follows them into the field, onto the ship, into the cockpit, and ultimately on deployment,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “The HERO in Childcare for Military Families Act recognizes the sacrifices our military families make to serve this nation, and provides the support they need to ensure mission success. With Honor Action is proud to endorse this legislation, and we thank With Honor Senate ally Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, For Country Caucus member Rep. Jen Kiggans, and Rep. Sara Jacobs for their commitment to our military families.”
As of early 2026, approximately 7,800 military children remain on waitlists for spots in Department of Defense Child Development Centers. Because of this, childcare places a significant strain on military families and service members. Spouses are often forced to forego employment to care for their children because of a lack of accessible, affordable childcare. It also poses a readiness issue, as service members are forced to juggle family responsibilities when duty calls.