Dan Miller: “Mr. Chairman, this is the last opportunity that Mr. Boehner and I will have to enhance the effectiveness of this…”

“Mr. Chairman, this is the last opportunity that Mr. Boehner and I will have to enhance the effectiveness of this education bill by eliminating unwanted and unneeded programs. The National Writing Project was added to H.R. 6 during the committee markup contrary to the President's proposal and against the recommendations of Vice President Gore's National Performance Review. This program has a noble goal, but we don't need a separate program. Remember when Clinton and Secretary Riley submitted their proposal for funding elementary and secondary education, they requested $10.5 billion, and the committee increased that level to $12.4 billion. This program represents one of the many unneeded and unwanted programs. Mr. Chairman, the National Performance Review recommended the elimination of any program that has achieved its purpose, or could be supported with non-Federal resources. Therefore, the Clinton administration placed the National Writing Project on this year's budget hit list. In this year's budget, the President said, No funds are requested because the administration has proposed that the program not be reauthorized. Furthermore, funds available to State and local educating agencies under the Eisenhower Professional Development Program could also be used for this purpose. This project, therefore, reflects duplicative spending.”