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_This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts._ Proposed federal legislation that would make it easier for
child-care providers to use federal funds to provide diapers to low-income families has drawn criticism that the nation is becoming, uh, a nanny state. The chief sponsor of the Diaper
Investment and Aid to Promote Economic Recovery, or DIAPER, Act has portrayed it as a jobs measure -- as just about every bill introduced in Congress seems to be portrayed these days --
saying it would help parents get their children into daycare so the parents can work. ‘For families struggling to pay for rent, to have enough gas to get to work, or even to put food on the
table, spending an average of $4 a day -- or over $100 a month -- on diapers is beyond their means,’ Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said in a letter to House colleagues seeking their support
for the bill. ‘But without a sufficient supply of diapers, children cannot attend day care. In fact, over one in five mothers have had to skip an obligation and stay home with their child
because of lack of diapers. And losing out on day care makes it even harder for parents to put in a full day’s work. And so they fall further behind.’ Tom Schatz, president of Citizens
Against Government Waste, ridiculed the legislation as leaving ‘no doubt that the U.S. is moving ever closer to becoming a ‘nanny state.’’ He called it ‘another example of the mission creep
within federal programs that gives taxpayers a bad rash.’ The conservative group Judicial Watch’s blog called the bill ‘a case of public assistance gone mad.’ Conservative talk-show host
Rush Limbaugh also has ridiculed the legislation. The bill’s supporters say the cost of diapers can come out of the roughly $2 billion in federal child-care development block grant funds
provided to states this year. ‘This bill will relieve some of the stress on families facing hardship in this economy. And it will help children lead healthier lives,’ DeLauro wrote. As the
top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees health spending, she’s well-positioned to advance her bill. The measure, with 14 co-sponsors, has been referred to the
House Committee on Education and the Workforce. A similar measure has been introduced in the Senate. ALSO: Texas judge won’t face charges in beating, police say Man posed as illegal
immigrant to avoid prison, police say Occupy Nashville vs. GOP confrontation turns into love fest -- Richard Simon in Washington. _Photo illustration: Babies need diapers. A new bill would
help some child-care providers provide them to low-income families__. Credit: Danny Johnston / Associated Press _