[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
[April 15, 1999]
[Page 562]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Congressional Action on Proposed Child Care Legislation
April 15, 1999

    I am pleased that Congress has made important progress this week to 
address the pressing child care needs of America's working families.
    Significant new investments are needed to make child care better, 
safer, and more affordable for working families. My budget request 
includes substantial new resources to help working families pay for 
child care, increase the supply of good after-school programs, improve 
the safety and quality of care, and promote early learning.
    Today Senator Jeffords and 
Representative Gilman introduced, with 
bipartisan cosponsors, the ``Caring for America's Children Act,'' which 
calls for significant new investments to make child care more affordable 
and improve child care quality. Other important legislation has been 
introduced in the House and the Senate during this congressional 
session, as well. And most important, this week the Congress 
demonstrated through votes on the budget resolution that there is strong 
bipartisan support for taking action on child care. I want to thank 
Senators Dodd and Jeffords for their strong leadership on this issue, and I 
look forward to working over the coming months with Members of Congress 
on both sides of the aisle to strengthen child care for America's 
working families.