Education Is Not a Priority for This House
Kucinich gave the following speech in Congress on November 17, 2005:
Speaking in opposition to the conference report on H.R. 3010, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, Congressman Kucinich said:
"Mr. Speaker, the vast education cuts brought before us today in this conference agreement and additionally in the budget reconciliation package that we may see today, are telling signs of the priorities of this Congress. These cuts demonstrate, far better than words ever could, that education is not a priority for this House.
"This conference agreement provides a mere $11 million increase for Head Start, a pivotal program for preschool-aged children in low-income families across the Nation. At current funding levels, Head Start serves approximately half of the children eligible for its services, a wholly inadequate proportion. This program, which has repeatedly been found to dramatically improve the academic performance of students deserves much more than an $11 million increase.
"The conference agreement cuts school improvement funding by 6 percent and flat funds teacher quality grants. These grants, which are used to recruit qualified teachers and support teacher development, are critically important to efforts to improve student achievement.
"Rather than strengthening the Pell Grant Program and increasing access to higher education for low-income students, the conference agreement maintains the current maximum Pell Grant of $4,050. At this level, the maximum Pell Grant only covers 39 percent of tuition at the average four-year public college, making a mockery of its status as the foundation of student aid for the poorest students.
"What are our priorities? The votes members cast today on this conference agreement and the budget reconciliation later today, will show their priorities. Do we place more value on tax cuts for the wealthy or the education of our students? I urge my colleagues to join me in prioritizing students' well-being and vote no on this conference report and on the budget reconciliation package."
[Ed. note: In a 15-minute vote that was held open for more than 30 minutes, agreement on the conference report on H.R. 3010 failed by recorded vote: 209 - 224 (Roll No. 598). The House then notified the Senate of its disagreement. On November 18, the Senate voted to insist on provisions relating to home heating assistance and NIH funding and notified the House of this action. See THOMAS, bottom of page, for the latest action on H.R. 3010.]
Subscribe to this blog's feed