This speech by the chairman of the Child and Human Development Subcommittee of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee focuses on issues relating to the needs and problems of children and families. Programs under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee include child abuse, child care, domestic violence, aspects of adoption and foster care programs. Hearings held by the Subcommittee over the past two years have documented two significant changes in social structure during the seventies: Large increases in the proportion of mothers who work, and the increasing number of children living in single parent households headed by women. Related to these changes is an increase in the number of children living in poverty-level conditions with inadequate medical care; a lack of resources for pre-natal care; and an increase in the number of unattended or "latch-key" children. In view of these changes, a 60% increase in the need for child care providers has been projected for the next ten years. The prospects for legislative action on the national level dealing with many of these concerns do not look good at present even though evidence to support the need for care is available. Several major pieces of legislation have failed to gain congressional approval. The present attitude against new spending programs, children's lack of political power, and concerns over government interference with families or child-rearing all make the passage of legislative proposals dealing with children difficult. However, it is essential to protect the interests of children in the struggle for scarce public resources, and the government has a legitimate role in assisting families such as it has done in the areas of child welfare and child care legislation. (Author/SS)