David Obey: “this motion is very simple. It deletes a provision in the bill that was added by the rule through a self-executing…”

“this motion is very simple. It deletes a provision in the bill that was added by the rule through a self-executing amendment that has the effect of cutting the fiscal 2000 appropriation in this bill for Child Care and Development Block Grant by $506 million. The motion to recommit simply strikes that provision, thereby adding $506 million back for child care, which is the same level that was requested by the President and which was the level included in this bill as reported out of committee. This motion would provide child care for an additional 100,000 children. The provision in the bill which my motion strikes says that if the Fiscal 2002 advance appropriation across all appropriation bills exceeds $23.5 billion, then the child care program is singled out for rescissions that bring the total back down to $23 billion. Since the Labor HHS bill and VA bill already exceed that total by $506 million, that means $506 million will automatically be lopped off the $2 billion provided in this bill for child care. I am sure my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter), will say this is next year's funding, and so you do not have to worry about it. My response is this bill is either real or it is not. It is either a let-us-pretend bill. If it is not a let-us-pretend bill, then it cuts child care by $506 million. I would hope that we would be voting for real bills, and I would hope that we would not be slashing programs like this.”