WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Supporting Early Childhood Educators’ Deductions Act, or SEED Act, legislation led by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) to correct an unfair gap in the tax code and support the early childhood educators who help shape children’s futures during their most formative years.

The SEED Act would amend the Internal Revenue Code to extend the existing educator expense deduction to eligible early childhood educators, allowing them to deduct unreimbursed classroom expenses such as books, classroom supplies, learning tools, and other materials they purchase for the children in their care.

Under current law, K-12 teachers can claim this deduction, but pre-K and early childhood educators are excluded — even though many spend hundreds of dollars of their own money each year on the same kinds of classroom materials.

By extending this deduction, the SEED Act delivers a commonsense measure of fairness and ensures early childhood educators are not penalized for investing their own money in the children and classrooms they serve.

In Pennsylvania, more than 68,000 early childhood educators support young learners every day. They are among the first teachers in a child’s life, helping build language, confidence, social development, curiosity, and the foundation for lifelong learning. Their work strengthens children, supports working families, and helps sustain the workforce that local communities and employers depend on.

Watch Congressman Fitzpatrick speak on the House Floor in support of the bill here.

“Early childhood educators are teachers in every sense of the word, and today the House took bipartisan action to treat them that way,” said Fitzpatrick. “In working with early childhood educators across our community, I have seen the time, care, and dedication they pour into their classrooms, and the personal resources they invest to make sure children have what they need to learn and grow. To give every child a strong foundation, we must make sure the educators helping build that foundation have the support they need, and that is exactly what our effort is about: correcting an unfair gap, supporting the educators who have earned it, and investing in children during the years that matter most. Now the Senate should join us in standing with the teachers of our nation and getting this bill across the finish line.”

In March, the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously advanced Fitzpatrick’s bipartisan, bicameral SEED Act, building momentum for today’s House passage. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are leading the companion measure.

“Early-childhood educators instill in our youth a love of learning and curiosity. Just like their K through 12 colleagues, they put in the long hours and often dip into their own wallets to provide educational materials for their classrooms,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). “Yet, unlike their K through 12 colleagues, they are not afforded the same tax deduction to help cover those expenses. The SEED Act ensures we acknowledge and reward the contributions of all of our educators. Representative Fitzpatrick has championed this cause for years, and I thank him for his work standing up for America’s teachers.”

The full text of the bill is available here.

Background:

The SEED Act builds on Congressman Fitzpatrick’s longstanding record of fighting for early childhood education, working families, and the teachers who help give children a strong start.

That work has been consistent in PA-1 and in Congress. Last year, when Bucks County’s Head Start funding was put at risk, Fitzpatrick fought to protect it and helped secure the full five-year renewal. He has also worked to help unlock billions in education funding, guided by a clear mission: invest in children, empower educators, and strengthen schools.

By extending the existing educator expense deduction to pre-K and early childhood educators, the SEED Act continues that work. It delivers a commonsense measure of fairness, strengthens the early childhood workforce, and supports children during the most formative years of their lives. With House passage secured, Fitzpatrick will continue working with bipartisan partners in the Senate to get the bill across the finish line.