For years now, the debate on family policy has been centered on single working parents and day care. Childcare is very difficult for single parents, but we also have to acknowledge the sacrifices made by parents who give up that extra income and stay home for their kids. We need to focus more on the quality of care our children receive and the people who can best care for our nation's children are parents. The vote on the amendment put members of Congress on record and provides a blueprint for them to follow on related future legislation. These programs will benefit parents who use business and institutional day care providers, but will not help at-home parents.
Many families use a second income to pay their tax burden.
But, according to surveys most families in which both parents work would prefer to have one parent stay at home with their children if the family could afford it. Enzi said the elimination of the marriage penalty tax would help reduce the financial burden to families in which both spouses work as well as those in which one spouse stays at home. He also suggested his colleagues consider broad-based middle class tax relief in the near future. As elected leaders we should be doing as much as we can to give parents more time with their kids. The House passed the same amendment on a vote of 409-0.