Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3043, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act ...

Floor Speech

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3043, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION ACT, 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - November 07, 2007)

SPEECH OF HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA IN THE HOUSE OF EPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this conference report, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education appropriations bill and the Military Construction/Veterans appropriations bill.

* I am here to represent the 4th district of Minnesota--that's my job. And my district has made it very clear to me that investing in our communities is a priority.

* In fact, most members of the House of Representatives have said they support both of these bills. But there has been a lot of complaining about the process.

* I'm a former civics teacher. Part of my work was to teach my students about the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of our government.

* For those watching today, I want to be very clear about the issues in this debate and the procedure that got us here.

* We are in this position because the Administration has adopted a ``my way or the highway'' approach to governing. The President has steadfastly refused to recognize the constitutional role of Congress in setting our Nation's budget priorities.

* And he has ignored the clear message sent by the American people in the last election.

* Democrats disagree with the President's priorities. The President proposed to cut education funding. His budget cut special education, teacher training, and Head Start. It also eliminated several programs targeted for at-risk students.

* Democrats have rejected those cuts and proposed a modest increase in order to keep our students competitive in a global economy.

* The President's budget cut funding for health care. We do not agree with reducing opportunities to find life saving cures through research or reducing access to quality care for American families.

* The President proposed cuts to job training and vocational education. Democrats understand that our economy is changing, and that investing in our greatest resources--working families (including veterans)--is important today and tomorrow.

* Madam Speaker, the amount of money that separates the President's budget and the Democrats' proposal is approximately what we spend in 1 month in Iraq--and all of that is on a credit card.

* In addition, this bill includes the largest increase in veterans' health care since the beginning of the Veterans Administration.

* If we say we value families and communities--and veterans--in America, then surely we can agree that a modest investment in our future is reasonable.

* Let's put politics aside, let's listen to the American people, and let's pass this bill. Let's do our jobs.

Source