[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 207 (Friday, December 22, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S19270-S19271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          THE AU PAIR PROGRAM

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, over the past several weeks, my 
office has received many telephone calls from concerned Minnesotans 
regarding the partial shutdown of the Federal Government and the lack 
of funding which has resulted for the program which brings nannies from 
foreign countries into America.
  Nannies have been coming to the United States through the Au Pair 
program, a cultural exchange program run by the United States 
Information Agency (USIA) which oversees the matching of young people 
from abroad with American families in need of live-in babysitters.
  Approximately 13,000 young adults have participated in this program 
over the years and 10,000 American families have benefitted from the 
helping hands these visiting babysitters provide. They are paid a 
weekly salary of $115 plus room and board for their services.
  When its appropriations expired at the end of the last fiscal year on 
September 30, the entire Au Pair program was put into limbo until it 
could be funded again. It had been included in three separate 
appropriations bills, but each has failed to become law due to 
objections over issues unrelated to the Au Pair program. On December 
11, Senator Helms recognized the pressing nature of the situation and 
introduced S. 1465, legislation funding and extending the Au Pair 
program for 2 years. The bill passed the Senate on December 13 and a 
related measure was introduced in the House that same day. It was 
passed by voice vote on December 18.
  Late Wednesday night, this legislation was delivered to 1600 
Pennsylvania Avenue. But now, 3 days later, it continues to sit on the 
President's desk awaiting his signature. Furthermore, while many 
families wait, there has been no indication yet as to whether the 
President will sign or veto this bill. 

[[Page S19271]]

  Therefore, I call on the President to swiftly review this matter, to 
continue the care and attention given to this issue by Congress, and to 
sign S. 1465 without delay.
  This is a bill that swiftly passed both Chambers; on behalf of the 
families that await its enactment, it deserves equally swift 
consideration by the White House.

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