Reid says Senate will consider childcare bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday that the Senate would soon consider a bill to increase access to childcare.

Next on the Senate’s agenda is an omnibus veterans’ bill from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Reid said once work is finished on that, the Senate could move to a childcare bill.

Leaders on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee wrote the Child Care Development Block Grant reauthorization bill last year.

S.1086 provides block grants to states to help low-income families obtain childcare. It authorizes funds through fiscal year 2019. The bipartisan bill easily passed out of committee.

Reid said both the veterans bill and childcare bill give Democrats and Republicans an opportunity to come together to get something done in a bipartisan way.

“This measure ensures working families have safe childcare options — protecting both children and working parents,” Reid said on the Senate floor Monday. “This bipartisan bill, as well as the veterans’ measure we will consider this week, offer an opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to find common ground and work together.”