[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 25 (Friday, February 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   VETERANS' ACCESS TO CHILD CARE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2019

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 840) to 
     amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs to provide child care assistance to 
     veterans receiving certain medical services provided by the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs:

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 840, the 
Veterans' Access to Child Care Act, which permanently authorizes the 
Veterans Affairs' (VA) Child Care Program.
  Absent Congressional action, the VA's Child Care Pilot Program will 
expire on October 1, 2019.
  This bill would ensure that all veterans who are primary caretakers 
have a safe, reliable, and cost-free option for child care when they 
access VA healthcare.
  I have previously supported this bill, when the House of 
Representatives passed H.R. 95 in the 115th Congress.
  I support H.R. 840, and I would vote for this legislation tomorrow. 
However, I will be speaking at the funeral of a dear friend.

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