Our Priority Ought to Be Education
Kucinich gave the following speech in Congress on December 14, 2005:
Speaking during debate on H. Res. 596, Waiving Points of Order Against Further 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, I thank the gentlewoman [Ms. Matsui], and I want to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey] for pointing out to this House that the across-the-board cut which he speaks about is going to only exacerbate the underfunding, which already exists in this particular bill. And I thank the gentleman for that point.
"I also want to state that this House, at the request of the administration, over the last few years has passed massive tax cuts that have helped to accelerate the wealth of this country upward, while when it comes to social programs, we are looking at cuts.
"I want to speak to education. The education cuts brought before us today in this new conference report are not any better for students than those that were voted down by the House on November 17. Like that conference agreement, the bill before us today demonstrates that education is not a priority for this House's majority. This conference agreement provides a mere $11 million increase for Head Start.
"I will bet, Mr. Speaker, that there are some of our wealthiest citizens who are achieving tax breaks in the millions, who together, pooling their tax breaks, would exceed the amount of money being given to Head Start that they call an increase. The fact of the matter is that Head Start is a pivotal program for preschool age children in low-income families across this country. And at current funding levels, it, unfortunately, serves about only half of the children eligible for its services. Now, this is not adequate, and it is not right. This program, which has been repeatedly found to have dramatically increased the academic performance of students, deserves more than a piddling $11 million when you compare it to where the money is going in this budget and in the fiscal policies of this administration.
"This 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 at $4,050. At this level, the maximum Pell Grant only covers 39 percent of the tuition of the average 4-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 will show our priorities. Our priorities ought to be education, and they ought to be doing something about adult training grants which, unfortunately, have been cut in this conference report, and youth training grants, which, unfortunately, have been cut in this conference report.
"What are our priorities? To continue the acceleration of wealth upwards in this country, or to make sure that all Americans get a chance to be recognized in this budget?
"It is time to say no to this policy."
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