Political Quotes

“I want to go over this amendment again and discuss it specifically for Members who may be torn, as I think many are, in wanting to support work and see the potential need for day care. Focusing on what the amendment does, we have heard a lot of discussion from the Senator from Connecticut and the Senator from Massachusetts of the concern for mothers with preschool children, that we cannot allow mothers who have children 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years of age-- and I have three children all under the age of 5 and I am keenly aware of the need for care for young children. However, this amendment does not just pertain to young children. This provides funding so that every welfare parent with children under 12 years of age--12 and under, under 13--you can have an 11-year-old or 12-year-old and you still get a funded day care slot. That is what the amendment says. This is not just focused on children under 5. This is a much more expansive program. It is not just part-time child care, it is a full-time child care program. It is 12 and under, full time, not just for single moms, not just for single moms or dads who have children, but for married mothers and fathers who may be on welfare and have children. This is for two-parent households as well as single-parent households.”