Barbara Boxer: “I will use a very short amount of time, knowing colleagues are anxious to get moving on this bill. I feel heavy in my…”

“I will use a very short amount of time, knowing colleagues are anxious to get moving on this bill. I feel heavy in my heart because this Senate is such a wonderful institution when we authorize afterschool programs in the United States of America. We did that, and we have had a very sad response in terms of the funding that does not match the authorization. I think my colleagues know full well the FBI says there is no program that does more to keep our kids out of trouble than afterschool programs. That is why Senator Ensign and I teamed up originally to get the first of afterschool programs authorized by this Congress. But it has been very sad. I know the Senator from Pennsylvania supports this program. I know the Senator from Iowa, who heads this important subcommittee, supports these programs. Most Senators support these programs. But right now is a moment when we have to stand up for our kids. Look at what has happened. Despite the fact we are supposed to be going toward $2.25 billion, we are actually now funding afterschool at less than $1 billion--less than we were in 2002 because the afterschool programs have not been exempted from across-the-board cuts. What we will do today with this amendment is add back--this is very important--$51.9 million, which will get it back to the $1 billion area. At least we will take it back to where it was in 2002. This is a very sad day.…”