Alternative Child-Care Bill Wins White House Support

Setting the stage for a sharp confrontation in Congress, the White House on Wednesday endorsed an alternative child-care bill that closely parallels President Bush’s proposal to channel benefits directly to low-income parents through tax credits.

The measure, sponsored by conservative Democrats and some Republicans, was endorsed by White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu at a meeting of the House GOP Conference as House Democratic leaders worked out final details of their own child-care legislation.

The alternative plan backed by Bush would cost about $4 billion a year. It would provide nearly $3 billion in tax credits, $600 million for an expanded Head Start program and $450 million for grants to states for child-care services.

Unlike the Democratic leadership measure, however, the alternative bill would not set federal standards for child-care centers or set up a new preschool and after-school child-development program based in schools.

The Administration-backed bill would require states to issue vouchers that needy parents could use in day-care centers run by religious groups. Democratic lawmakers have disagreed over whether the government should subsidize child care that includes religious instruction.

Rep. Charles W. Stenholm (D-Tex.), who is sponsoring the alternative legislation along with Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. (R-Fla.), said White House backing would improve the bill’s chances of passage by attracting more Republican votes.

Speaker Thomas S. Foley (D-Wash.) said floor debate and votes on the two measures--originally expected this week--would be put off until next week since the leadership’s compromise proposal was not finished in time. Foley, however, expressed confidence that the plan he is supporting would pass the House easily.

The leadership-backed bill, approved by the Senate last June, has languished in the House because of a power and policy struggle between the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee. The delay has embarrassed Democrats, since the measure is a major part of their national agenda.

Foley had to intercede with the wrangling factions within his own party to settle differences over the method of funding for child care and to fashion a bill that could pass the House and be sent to a Senate-House conference, where a final version would be negotiated.

The Senate bill would authorize $1.75 billion a year for a new federal program of grants to states for child-care subsidies and payments to parents. It would establish federal safety and quality standards for day-care centers, which are now subject only to state regulation.

The House leadership has decided to support a different method of funding, by funneling money to states through an existing social services block grant program.

Once approved by Senate and House conferees, a final measure would be returned to both chambers for ratification before being sent to the President for his signature or veto.