[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
[June 9, 1998]
[Page 926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Proposed Child Care Legislation
June 9, 1998

    The balanced budget I submitted to Congress includes an ambitious 
initiative to make child care better, safer, and more affordable. 
America's working families and our Nation's children deserve our 
attention and action on this critical issue. Today House Democrats are 
unveiling an important proposal--sponsored by over 100 Representatives--
to address the child care needs of working families. Like my child care 
initiative, this new package significantly increases child care 
subsidies for poor children, provides greater tax relief to help low- 
and middle-income families pay for child care, creates a tax credit for 
businesses that provide child care to their employees, increases after-
school opportunities for children, promotes early learning, and improves 
child care quality.
    I believe that by continuing to work together and by taking the best 
proposals from both sides of the aisle, we can achieve legislation that 
helps Americans fulfill their responsibilities as workers, and even more 
importantly, their responsibilities as parents. I welcome this important 
contribution from House Democrats, and I urge all Members of Congress to 
come together this year to improve child care for our Nation's working 
families.