NASHVILLE (AP) — A Tennessee legislative panel has spiked a bill allowing candidates to use their campaign funds to pay for child care.

The House Elections and Campaign Finance Subcommittee killed the proposal on Wednesday.

Democratic Rep. Jason Powell said the bill was needed to recruit a wider range of candidates to run for political office.

However, critics argued the bill raised too many questions. Republican Rep. John Crawford said he didn't understand how a candidate who couldn't afford child care during a campaign could be a lawmaker during a legislative session.

Last year, the Federal Election Commission ruled it was OK to use campaign cash for child care expenses. Alabama, Kentucky and Texas have since issued similar rulings.

Like most states, Tennessee law is silent about such expenses.