But I don't think we can look at it and say, 'well, we can't meet this requirement because then we either reduce slots or we don't have a pool that's big enough of professionals.'

I think you're onto something. I would caution all of us that hotlines in some cases can be used as a reason not to act.

I think we would all agree this is affordable, and I would hope that we would all consider it not as an add-on but as a floor requirement.

We've got to look at the way we teach these folks to make sure it's appropriate for what we're asking them to do.

Far too many kids in this country are in child care subsidized and paid for by the Federal Government that is not safe, healthy, or of general good quality.

the length of time that it's been since we reauthorized the Act is a reminder to us of how things have shifted since then

I might say for the record, North Carolina does require four inspections a year.

One of the more commonsense changes that I propose is a background check.

This is a bill that Senator Enzi and I have introduced and the Chair has graciously co-sponsored.

Now, if you could serve 100 kids and have no quality, but you could serve 50 kids and have quality, what would you choose?

But is it the agency's policy to ignore the statute in the law?

It's a disturbing day when I think that the argument is, provide us more money and we'll do a better job.