Benjamin Gilman: “I rise to speak on this rule for H.R. 4577, the FY 2001 Department of Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Act, to…”

“I rise to speak on this rule for H.R. 4577, the FY 2001 Department of Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Act, to offer my strong objection and concern with the addition of another amendment to part A of the Rules Committee report, providing for a rescission from the child care and development block grant (CCDBG) of any funds appropriated in excess of the $23.5 billion advanced appropriation cap contained in the FY 2001 concurrent budget resolution. The child care development block grant (CCDBG) is a major source of child care assistance for low and moderate working families. Usually out of necessity, not choice, mothers are working outside the home in greater numbers than ever before. Moreover, with many employers having difficulty finding the workers they need, due to a 30-year low in unemployment; and the continued demand generated by welfare reform. It is imperative now more than ever that the availability of affordable and quality child care services exist. Accordingly, now is not the time from Congress to limit the amount of funding available for CCDBG.”