Anthony Gonzalez: “I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule that would provide…”

“I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule that would provide for consideration of H.R. 2740. This package provides funding for several items that would benefit my district in northeast Ohio, but it falls short in several key regards, including funding for key programs that would help keep our children safe. In particular, Mr. Speaker, this package fails to provide adequate funding for the School Safety National Activities program, which gives grants to schools to support safe learning environments, including programs to combat substance abuse and cultivate academic success. This bill provides $80 million less in funding than what the administration requested. I offered an amendment to raise that number by $10 million, but my colleagues in the majority blocked it from consideration. I think we can all agree that school safety is of the utmost importance and an area that is vital for Congress to invest in. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will work with me to assure that programs to protect our children, like the School Safety National Activities program, remain a congressional priority.”