Tom Harkin: “earlier today, President Bush vetoed the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. I wish I…”

“earlier today, President Bush vetoed the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. I wish I could say I was surprised but, frankly, few actions by this President surprise me anymore. This is a good bill, a bipartisan bill, a bill that cleared both Houses with clear, strong majorities. In fact, the first one cleared here by 75 votes. It is a bill that reflects the critical education, health, job training needs of our country, especially for Americans who are at the bottom rungs of the socio-economic ladder. The bill was endorsed by more than 1,000--actually 1,075, to be exact--health, education, social service, and labor organizations in this country. There are disability groups in this letter, disease advocacy groups, school groups, community action partnerships, religious groups--millions of people across America are represented on this letter. This morning President Bush turned his back on all of them. He seems to have no problem pouring billions of dollars into Iraq for schools, hospitals, job programs, health needs, but when it comes to those priorities here in America, the President says no. After spending all these billions of dollars on schools, hospitals, job programs, and health needs in Iraq, it is time to start investing some of that money here in America.”