Why Richard Nixon Killed National Child Care

Why Richard Nixon Killed National Child Care

The president’s veto had to do with mounting opposition to his policy of detente.

In this black-and-white photo from the 1970s, a woman wearing a pith helmet with a net over it waves an American flag as she stands in front of a banner that reads “Free 24-Hour Child Care Centers Community Controlled.” December 9, 2025, 12:01 AM

The drive for government-funded child care policies is gaining momentum. New Mexico has become the first state to guarantee child care for all residents. In New York City, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani made child care a central promise of his campaign , and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has expressed her support, although the specifics of a viable plan remain unclear.

It is not surprising that a growing number of ele