H.C.H. 202 Briefing
Assistance for Stay-at-Home Parents

Brief Date: 1998, February 14th

Bill Summary & Status for the 105th Congress Found at: <http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html>

SPONSOR: Rep. Goodling (introduced 01/27/98)

Child Care Debate Continues.

Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) submitted a resolution (S. Con. Res. 77) which expresses the sense of Congress that the "federal government should acknowledge the importance of at-home parents and should not discriminate against families who forego a second income in order for a mother or father to be at-home with their children." This resolution is an attempt to remind legislators to include at-home parents in any discussions about child care. The resolution Sen. Sessions submitted to the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources is nearly identical to the Goodling Resolution (H. Con. Res. 202) that passed unanimously in the House. Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) and Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), will host a symposium on Monday, February 23 to bring attention to pro-family child care and build support for at-home parents. Leading experts in the child care field will join parents and other concerned citizens to discuss the value of at-home parents. In addition to supporting these symbolic initiatives, FRC will continue to meet with members about enacting policies that help families spend more time together, such as doubling or tripling the $500 per-child tax credit passed in 1997 and the enactment of flex-time legislation.
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, February 20, 1998]

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Goodling Resolution Recognizes At-Home Moms.

The House passed a resolution (H Con Res 202), 409-0, which says that any child care proposal should include assistance for at-home parents. The non-binding resolution, sponsored by Rep. William Goodling (R-PA), was quickly introduced and passed as a response to President Clinton's $21 billion proposal to expand and subsidize day care programs for people who purchase commercial or government day care. FRC applauds the action of the House and we continue to meet with House and Senate leadership members about concrete ways Congress can help families rather than pull them apart. We will be stressing that parents need fewer taxes, not more, and greater flexibility in the workplace in order to have more time with their children. FRC supports doubling or tripling the $500 per-child tax credit passed in 1997 and the enactment of flex-time legislation. [emphasis mine]
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, February 13, 1998]

H.C.R. 202 Summary from "Thomas" U.S. government WEB site
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