Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 20, 1990 TAG: 9003202349
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Rep. Bob Walker, R-Pa., complained that the majority Democrats had scheduled debate on the bill for Wednesday and Thursday, even though no copy of the bill in its latest form was available.
"They've gone behind closed doors, they've cut their deals; now they're ready to rush it to the floor," he said.
The child-care legislation, which has been stalled for months because of differences among Democrats, was the object of private negotiations in recent weeks. But Rep. David Nagle, D-Iowa, one of the sponsors, said that not all issues had been resolved and that Democrats didn't have copies of the bill either.
A tentative version worked out among Democratic leaders would combine elements of competing child-care proposals. It would expand tax credits for low-income families and increase funding for block grants under Title XX of the Social Security Act, as well as expand Head Start and create a school-based program for before- and after-school care.
The tentative agreement would drop a proposed new program of grants to the states to subsidize child care, which had been pushed by liberals.
The compromise was expected to face challenges on the House floor, however, from some Republicans and conservative Democrats. Total cost has been estimated at as much as $5 billion a year.
Nagle said Democrats were still negotiating over how to provide financial aid to religious institutions that provide child care.
Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., predicted President Bush would veto the Democrats' plan, if it wins passage.
by CNB