Tom Harkin: “I don't know how this amendment all of a sudden came out of the clear blue sky. We heard it was noncontroversial. This…”

“I don't know how this amendment all of a sudden came out of the clear blue sky. We heard it was noncontroversial. This amendment robs States of millions of dollars they get on July 1 of this year. This is money we put in the appropriations bill last year. It was agreed to by the Republicans, by the Democrats, by the House, by the White House. This is all signed off on. This is $1.2 billion that goes to States for emergencies--safety, repairs to schools, to meet fire code violations. This is the same amendment--this amendment that is before the Senate--that was defeated May 16 by a bipartisan vote of 62-37. This is basically the same amendment. We have already defeated it 62-37. If Members vote for this amendment, they are voting to cut already appropriated funds that are going to States. Members are shifting it to important but a small number of schools in a few States. Before Members vote, see how much money is going into your State beginning on July 1 of this year. If this amendment passes, your State will not get one cent of this money for emergency repairs to meet fire and safety codes in their schools. This amendment was defeated on May 16--check the record--by a bipartisan vote of 62-37. This money is already appropriated. I already have the amount of money that has been allocated going to each State. The money is going out on July 1. Your school districts are counting on getting this money to meet fire and safety codes, to repair and renovate their schools.”