Joe Cunningham: “I am proud of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and what we have done. These are considerable tough times, and it is…”

“I am proud of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and what we have done. These are considerable tough times, and it is not due to a tax break ``for the rich'' that the left on every bill states, but you can never spend enough money; but I think we have done a pretty good job. If we take a look at, for example, IDEA was mentioned. I was a subcommittee chairman, and we authorized IDEA when we were in the minority. The maximum was 6 percent funding that the Democrats ever put forth for IDEA, 6 percent. We are up to over 18 percent since we have taken the majority. Title I, we have increased the funding for title I; and Mr. Speaker, I sorely resent comments from the left that state that the only thing we want to do is help the rich. I am dedicated on education and medical research; and I work very, very hard in that direction. What I am upset at, the money that we raise for California not only in formula but for the additional funds that we are sending California for title I, Governor Gray Davis is taking the additional money that we sent to California and putting it in county mental health. He has taken away the money. When they talk about tax rates for the rich, in 1993, when they had the majority, they taxed the middle class when they said they would not, and they said well, only Democrats voted for that, no Republicans. Why did Republicans not vote for that tax increase? They cut military COLAs, which they demagogue every day on this floor.”