House passes revamped child care block grant bill

The House on Monday passed legislation to provide funding to states to assist low-income workers in paying for child care.

The voice-vote passage follows approval from the Senate by a 97-1 vote in March. It now heads back to the Senate to clear to the president, since it was modified since the vote earlier this year.

{mosads}The measure, also known as the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, has not been reauthorized since 1996. Provisions in the revamped bill, which lasts through fiscal 2020, would require child care providers receiving the grants to undergo annual inspections and comply with local health, safety and fire standards.

“The critical updates in the program will give Americans better support that they need,” said Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.).

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-Minn.), a key negotiator of the bill, said it would provide critical assistance for low-income parents.

“It is a vital safety net for moms and dads trying to lift their families out of poverty,” Kline said. 

The revised measure is expected to pass the Senate easily.