Todd Tiahrt: “I think this amendment is important because we are taking a program that is going to increase. We are not taking away…”

“I think this amendment is important because we are taking a program that is going to increase. We are not taking away the large portion of the increase. We are still leaving $100 million as an increase in the 21st century learning program. We are simply redirecting the remaining money to a higher priority. That is the special education program. I think it is a good amendment. I think it meets the priorities of this House as was voted on just last May. I would ask the Members to support the Ryan-Tiahrt amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of this amendment. Forty days ago this very body stood up and by an overwhelming vote of 421-3 passed H.R. 4055, the IDEA Full Fund Act stating this Congress' commitment to fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Many of my fellow colleagues joined me at this podium and asserted our responsibility to live up to our promise to our school districts. Additionally, last May we passed H. Con. Res. 84, again by an overwhelming vote of 413-2, which urged Congress and the President to give programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act the highest priority among Federal elementary and secondary education programs. The highest priority. The legislation increases IDEA funding by $500 million from FY2000 funds, continuing the Republican Congress' record of consistently adding money to the IDEA program.”