Bruce F. Vento: “As we consider the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year…”

“As we consider the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2001, a simple question comes to mind. Do we, or do we not care about the needs of hard working American families? By looking at this proposal it seems to me that the answer is a resounding ``no.'' The appropriations legislation put before us short-changes nearly every vulnerable group--children, dislocated and injured workers, and the elderly, to highlight just a few. The American public time and again has rated education as a top priority--above tax cuts, above foreign affairs, above Pentagon spending, even above gun control and protecting social security. While I am not discrediting the need for Congress to address all of those issues, it is important that we listen to what constituents are saying. It seems ridiculous that at a time when our economy is booming, we still have schools that are under funded and under staffed, mainly due to the slight of hand indifferent policy path of the Republican leadership. How can the United States possibly expect to remain competitive in a global marketplace if we are unwilling to make the investment to ensure that our students are receiving the best education possible? As examples, H.R. 4577 short-changes students who need the most support, by inadequately funding Head Start, Title I, after school care, teacher quality and class size reduction initiatives.”