Cord Byrd: “Regrettably, I must oppose the amendment offered by my friend from Massachusetts. I do not like to oppose this…”

“Regrettably, I must oppose the amendment offered by my friend from Massachusetts. I do not like to oppose this amendment. I would be very supportive of this amendment were it under different circumstances and not being offered to this bill. The amendment would provide $150 million in emergency funding for fiscal year 2002 to support community summer school programs. Last December, Congress approved and the President signed the Labor-HHS Education Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2002. That act contains significant resources for the summer school program. Currently, the Federal Government provides $1 billion in funding for the 21st Century Afterschool Program. In fiscal year 2002, the funding increased by $150 million. Senator Kennedy makes a very strong case for this program, and I certainly agree with him in the concept, but I cannot support this amendment as it is being offered to this supplemental bill. This supplemental appropriations bill is focused on providing the resources necessary to support the war on terrorism and to secure our homeland.”