WASHINGTON - A key House panel has approved late changes to the Republicans' sweeping tax overhaul plan.

  

They restored the tax exemption for employees receiving child care benefits from their companies, but also put new requirements on a tax credit used by working people of modest means.

  

The House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-16 along party lines to adopt the amendment from its chairman, congressman Kevin Brady. The changes were made to the complex GOP tax legislation put forward last Thursday.

  

The vote on the amendment capped a rancorous session in which Republicans and Democrats bickered over whether the tax bill truly helps the middle class.

  

It was the first of what's expected to be several days of work on the bill.