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David Frank (202) 401-3026
STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RICHARD W. RILEY
ON THE VOTE BY THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON LABOR-HHS-EDUCATION
At a time when federal investment in education is the highest priority for the American public, the House Appropriations Subcommittee has taken the irresponsible action of cutting our nation?s investment in education and slashing the very programs that Americans want. At a time when record numbers of students are enrolled in school, the Republicans have actually cut education funding.
Investment in initiatives to reduce class size and important programs like GEAR UP, which prepares disadvantaged children for college, all would vanish under this Republican budget. Their indiscriminate cuts run from the new basics to the old — cutting everything from education technology to the most basic of all, reading.
This bill also cuts in half the President's request for after-school programs, and it rejects the President's proposal to increase accountability as called for in his State of the Union Address.
On top of all this, the Republican majority has chosen — and let me say in no uncertain terms, it is a choice — they have chosen not to invest a dime to help local communities build and repair schools to replace our aging overcrowded school-buildings.
You?ll hear a lot of talk from Republicans about the importance of education. But talk is cheap. When it comes to the end of the day — and that?s where we are in terms of the national budget and our investment in education — actions are what matter. By their actions today, it is clear that the Republican majority has failed the American people.
The President today vetoed the tax bill sent to him by the Republicans because it was risky, irresponsible and would force cuts of as much as 50 percent in education funding over the next ten years. Today?s budget action is just as irresponsible. I will urge the President to veto this bill.
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