Nannies

Washington Outlook: Capital Wrapup

NANNIES

The White House and Senate Democrats are close to agreement on the "nanny" issue that threatened to derail dozens of Administration subcabinet appointments. Under a policy worked out with the Senate Judiciary Committee, having failed to pay Social Security or other taxes for household help would no longer be disqualifying--as long as the nominee has made good on any payments owed. Unpaid Social Security taxes helped sink the nomination of Zoe Baird to be Attorney General and blocked the appointment of Washington lawyer Charles F. Ruff to a top Justice post.Edited by Stephen H. Wildstrom