Chairman Rehberg & Ranking Member DeLauro Get Bipartisan Results for Early Learning

Statement

Representatives Denny Rehberg (R-MT) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, today praised Education Secretary Arne Duncan for prioritizing early childhood education by directing $500 million to those programs out of $700 million Race to the Top funds his Department received in the full year Continuing Resolution that was signed into law last month.

"Today, working together across the aisle and across town with the Administration, we redoubled our national commitment to early childhood education," said Rehberg. "I appreciate the tireless efforts of my friend Rosa DeLauro and the leadership of Secretary Arne Duncan to make this critical priority a reality. The value of education cannot be overstated, and as a parent I've seen first-hand the way an early education sets the tone for the rest of someone's life."

Working together across party lines, Rehberg and DeLauro sent a letter urging Secretary Duncan to designate at least $350 million provided by Congress in FY2011 for activities pertaining to quality improvement in early childhood care and education. Rehberg and DeLauro are also the co-chairs of the Congressional Baby Caucus.

In direct response to their efforts, Secretary Duncan and Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that $500 million in funds would be directed toward early childhood education.

Source