GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS

WHEREAS, on March 1, 1986, automatic 4.3 percent budget cuts totaling $1 1.7 billion were inflicted on federal programs under the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Mandatory Balanced Budget Act; and

WHEREAS, federal aid to education was slashed $678 million, Chapter 1 compensatory education programs for the poor, Chapter 2 block grants, adult education and Pell grants for college students were crippled; and

WHEREAS, these cutbacks are minuscule compared to the $40 billion or more in automatic across-the-board cuts that are to be implemented Oct. 1, 1986, if Congress and the Reagan administration fail to reach agreement on a federal budget that meets GRH's deficit ceiling of $144 billion:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers strongly urge all its locals to work for the immediate appeal of the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Mandatory Balanced Budget Act; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT and all its locals vigorously work for the restoration of all funds to education programs and other human needs programs; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT strongly urge all its local and state affiliates to endorse candidates who pledge themselves in opposition to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Mandatory Balanced Budget Act and for the restoration of full funding for education and other human needs programs.