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Washington, D.C.-- Today's voice?vote passage of H.R. 206, which would allow agencies to use already appropriated funds to subsidize child care for their employees, drew praise from the leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

Since its introduction earlier, this year by Rep. Connie Morella (R?Md., 8'" Congressional District), NTEU has made this bill one of its top legislative priorities.

"Its passage represents one of the union's most significant legislative victories in the 106' Congress," said NTEU President Robert M. Tobias. "Like all Americans, federal workers are increasingly pressed to find affordable, safe child care. This bill would make affordable, reliable child care a reality instead of a dream for many federal workers."

For working families with children between the ages of three and five, child care is the second or third largest household expense. While there are child care centers at some federal facilities across the nation, the fees at these centers are often too high for low and middle grade public workers to afford.

"The offer of partial subsidies would enable many more federal employees to take advantage of on?site child care services," said Tobias. "This is a good thing for the parent, who will feel better knowing their child is nearby. It is a good thing for the agencies, which will benefit from improved productivity and employee morale. But most importantly, it is a good thing for the child."