OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

Date: Nov. 17, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Labor Unions Health and Health Care Education


DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (House of Representatives - November 17, 2005)

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Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to talk about the misguided conference report that the majority party has produced.

While the number of people living in poverty in this country continues to rise, this conference report fails to adequately fund programs that work to alleviate poverty. Despite the evidence, this conference report cuts Head Start funding and freezes funding for programs such as the Community Service Block Grant and LIHEAP.

As the number of Americans without health insurance sets new records every day, this conference report is cutting funding to programs that provide healthcare assistance to the uninsured. It eliminates the Healthy Communities Access Program and imposes drastic cuts to Maternal and Child Health funding and Rural Health Outreach. These cuts are in addition to $11 billion in cuts to Medicaid that are included in the majority party's reconciliation bill that may be voted on later today.

As the number of Americans unable to find a job continues to rise this conference report issues devastating cuts to initiatives that help put dislocated workers back in the labor force. Currently, 7.4 million Americans are unemployed, yet this conference report cuts Unemployment Insurance and Employment Services by $141 million.

At a time when this country should be investing in education and human capital, this conference agreement cuts $784 million from No Child Left Behind. It cuts funding for Even Start and Safe and Drug Free Schools, and freezes funding for adult education. These cuts are in addition to a reconciliation bill that cuts $14.3 billion from student aid for college students.

Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress to find solutions to problems not make them worse. We have a responsibility to ensure that all Americans have an opportunity to share in America's prosperity. It is irresponsible that we approve this conference report that cuts and eliminates essential programs when there is such an obvious need for the services they provide. I cannot in good conscience vote for this conference report and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

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