Political Quotes

“I rise to support H.R. 3019, the Balanced Budget Downpayment Act II and to commend my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for funding important education and job training programs while maintaining our goal to reach a balanced budget over the next 7 years. Balancing the budget requires us to make choices and to set priorities and this bill does that by funding key education and job training programs. While reforms in many of these programs are being sought by members of the Opportunities Committee, I believe we must place a priority on education in order for our children and grandchildren to enter the 21st century ready to learn and to be qualified to pursue high skilled job opportunities. This House has passed the CAREERS Act which consolidates over 120 education and job training programs into three block grants to States and I am pleased that this legislation recognizes the CAREERS Act as a priority. I congratulate you for holding $172.3 million for adult and youth job training programs in title IV of this bill contingent on finding real offsets to fund these programs. I am also glad to see that this legislation ensures funding for the Innovative Education Program Strategies Program, formerly the Chapter 2 Program.”