During a visit to Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury, Massachusetts, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Representative Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts), and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called for increased federal funding for early education. They read to preschoolers from the book 'Ambitious Girl' by Meena Harris, emphasizing the importance of ambition and support for future generations. The officials criticized the Trump administration's proposed budget, which increases defense spending while keeping funding for vital early education programs like Head Start stagnant. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted that the country should prioritize investments in children, stating, 'The country is better when we invest in our children.' Pressley pointed out that the current administration has not been supportive of programs like Head Start, which has seen a reduction of 1,300 child slots in Massachusetts due to funding issues. The leaders stressed that early education is not only crucial for child development but also strengthens the workforce by allowing parents to work while their children are cared for. They argued that early education, housing, and workforce development are interconnected, with Wu stating, 'By taking care of what matters most, the impact then also ripples out across all of these areas.'