WASHINGTON — Jennifer Garner has called on Congress to do more to support early childhood education.

The actress testified Thursday on Capitol Hill in support of education programs for preschoolers in poverty. Garner recalled growing up in West Virginia around children in poverty. She told lawmakers that she “couldn’t stand up for them back then, but I can stand up for their families now.”

She said by investing in early childhood education programs, like Head Start, “we can intervene in these children’s lives in time to make a difference.”

Garner is a mother of three and was testifying on behalf of Save the Children.