Press Releases

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) visited Echo Park CDC Head Start to hear directly from working parents about the harmful impact of Trump’s attempt to illegally freeze federal funds that Congress had already appropriated. During the visit, Rep. Gomez discussed with parents and educators the importance of protecting Head Start and other critical programs that support working families and ensure young children get the resources they need to thrive.

“I heard from parents in my district who are upset and worried about Trump’s illegal funding freeze that threw child care programs into chaos and put working families and educators at risk,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “In LA, thousands of parents rely on Head Start to go to work while their children learn, and his reckless actions could have shut down centers overnight after many reported getting locked out of their payment portal. Trump backed down after public pressure, but the fight isn’t over. As the founder and chair of the Dads Caucus, I’m going to keep fighting to protect these vital services.”

“Head Start is more than early education—it’s a lifeline for families and a pathway for career growth,” said Ana Mendez, the Education Coordinator for Foundation for Early Childhood Education, which administers Head Start programs from East LA to Hollywood. “As an educator, I oversee early childhood education programs in LA, and through my work, I know that President Trump’s threats to Head Start and other essential family programs would hurt the hundreds of children we serve. It would also put jobs at risk and limit opportunities for working parents to get ahead and move up the economic ladder. I’m committed to continue advocating for the resources needed to keep these programs strong.”

Head Start programs provide essential child care and early learning opportunities for low-income families, helping to set children up for success while allowing parents to work. Trump’s reckless move is creating a chilling effect—leaving parents worried about whether essential programs like Head Start will remain available.

“Head Start changed my son’s life, giving him the support he needed to overcome his disability and thrive—now my second child is there, too. As a working mom trying to earn my degree and build a better future, my family depends on these opportunities,” said Claudia Garcia, a working mom from Boyle Heights who relies on Head Start schools for her two children. “President Trump’s attempts to pause these services would pull the rug out from families like mine, making it harder for parents to succeed and leaving kids behind.”

President Trump illegally froze federal funds that Congress had already approved—putting critical programs for families, seniors, and veterans at risk. After public pressure and legal challenges, the White House rescinded their memorandum ordering a blanket freeze. But Trump’s executive actions to cut some funding remain in place, and his administration is still deciding what to slash next. Additionally, the architect of Project 2025, Russell Vought, is poised to become director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which manages the federal budget and oversees the implementation of federal programs.

As Dads Caucus Chair, which provides a forum for members of Congress to push legislation that supports working families, Congressman Gomez will keep pushing the Trump administration to make it clear they won’t cut programs that help working families in LA and across the country.

For more updates from Congressman Gomez, follow @RepJimmyGomez on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.

###