The Trump administration's sweeping plan to deregulate Head Start, the federal preschool and child care program serving low-income families, has sparked bipartisan concern in Congress, with several key Senate Republicans expressing hesitance over the proposed rollbacks.
On August 5, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the agency is pursuing a major overhaul of the multibillion-dollar program, aiming to eliminate a significant portion of the more than 100 pages of federal rules currently governing it. Under the proposed 75-page rule, which was officially published in the Federal Register on August 7, several long-standing safety, health, and administrative standards would be eliminated.
Among the regulations slated for removal are requirements for providers to conduct developmental screenings for children with disabilities, maintain small class sizes, facilitate daily tooth brushing, and mandate safety monitors on school buses. Additionally, the administration plans to eliminate staff pay parity rules and a policy that bans the expulsion of students.
While Kennedy argues the changes will streamline the program, cut red tape, and allow Head Start to enroll more children, the prospect of dismantling these standards has raised alarms among child advocates and lawmakers alike.
Republican senators have publicly voiced caution regarding the sweeping nature of the deregulation. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, noted that local providers have already raised concerns. "We’ve been hearing from our Head Start folks back home that are concerned about what they’re seeing," Murkowski said, adding, "That’s something that we’re monitoring."
Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who previously explored Head Start reforms during his tenure as speaker of his state's legislature, expressed skepticism about a broad retreat from federal standards. "Just walking away and turning a blind eye toward it, I don't think that'd be a good idea," Tillis said.
Similarly, Senator Jim Justice, a Republican from West Virginia, acknowledged that while improvements can be made, the program is already highly effective. Justice cautioned that Head Start benefits "a lot, a lot, a lot of kids" who "benefit phenomenally." He remarked, "When we start tweaking with stuff, a lot of times we can make it better. But there are ways we can make it worse, too."
Meanwhile, Senator Bill Cassidy, the Republican chairman of the Senate health and education committee, which holds jurisdiction over Head Start, said he has been discussing the proposed changes with his staff. However, Cassidy noted on August 6 that he had not yet fully analyzed the details, as he was in the middle of a political battle to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general. "I’d like to see what they actually put out," Cassidy said.
Democrats have responded with sharp criticism. Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, accused the administration of undermining the program's quality. "They’re saying they might be able to serve more children by promising each child less," Murray said. "President Trump has all but declared war on Head Start."
In defense of the proposal, HHS officials argue that local programs will retain the ability to keep current standards if they choose. Alex Adams, a deputy to Kennedy who leads the Administration for Children and Families at HHS, emphasized that providers will remain subject to state and local rules. "Flexibility is permission. It’s not a mandate," Adams said during a call with reporters, suggesting that providers should not ignore practices that are already working for them.
While the proposal slashes many existing requirements, it also introduces several new mandates. Under the proposed rule, English would be designated as the primary language of instruction, requiring children whose first language is not English to learn it while enrolled. The proposal also introduces new dietary guidelines and a physical activity mandate requiring 30 minutes of exercise for every 3.5 hours of classroom instruction.
The regulatory overhaul is in its preliminary stages and is expected to face legal challenges. A 60-day public comment period has commenced, providing an avenue for feedback from educators and families. Khari Garvin, who directed the Office of Head Start during the Biden administration, urged stakeholders to participate. "There still is an opportunity for their voices to be heard," Garvin said. "No one should surrender and feel like, well, all is done."
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