Statement by Edward J. McElroy, President,
American Federation of Teachers, on Today's U.S. House of Representatives
   Vote Rejecting the FY 2006 Labor-HHS Appropriations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — By voting down the Labor-HHS appropriations bill today, which shortchanged a number of important education programs, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a strong message that the agenda being pursued by the Republican leadership is out of step with the American public.

Budgets are a statement of our national priorities and values.  From the very beginning of this year's appropriations process, the AFT expressed concerns with the woefully inadequate funding for education. The bill rejected today did not meet many critical needs, including funding the federal government’s commitments under the No Child Left Behind Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Pell Grant program.

Today's vote is a victory for students, educators and parents.  We commend the bipartisan group of 224 House members, including 22 Republicans who rejected this measure and hope that this bill’s failure will serve as a wake-up call for Congress to redraft a better appropriations bill; one that reverses the recent decline in the federal support for critical education programs, provides the resources needed to help students meet the increasing demands placed on them and helps college-bound students overcome the increasing costs of higher education.

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