Frank Pallone: “You talked about programs that work. Just the last one that I wanted to mention, of course, even earlier is the Head…”

“You talked about programs that work. Just the last one that I wanted to mention, of course, even earlier is the Head Start Program, preschool Head Start Program, because from 1992 to 1995, which is, of course, the span of the current administration, we have had an increase of 130,000 children that were able to participate in the Head Start Program over the last 3 years, because we were expanding a very successful program, which is enjoying--it really had support under President Bush, President Reagan, as well as President Clinton and President Carter. It has always been very bipartisan. Now all of a sudden this Republican leadership budget would deny Head Start benefits to 180,000 children over the next few years. So again, we are talking about misplaced priorities here. When I go out of my district, when I am in the State of New Jersey and I talk to people, they all tell me that education is paramount. Everyone understands that. I really for the life of me do not understand why the Republican leadership in this House does not get it. Education is crucial. If we are going to start talking about cutting education 20 percent here over the next fiscal year, it just makes no sense. It is totally out of sync with what the American people want.”