Contact:  Miguel Gonzalez  (202) 822-7823 

October 24, 2007

President's Misguided Budget Priorities
Undermine Children and Public Education

NEA leader urges President:
'work with Congress,' 'get priorities back on track'

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid looks on as NEA Executive Commitee member Marsha Smith speaks at Capitol Hill news conference.                                                  photo by Bill Clark

The Senate is considering a spending bill that funds critical education, health care and labor programs for the next fiscal year. Education programs include Head Start, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—otherwise known as No Child Left Behind—and Pell Grants, among others. President Bush has promised to veto the measure.

"It's disappointing that President Bush is threatening to veto another critical bill that funds education programs," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "What’s more troubling is that this comes on the heels of his veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). We are grateful that the Senate has refused to turn its back on children and public schools."

The President's proposed budget would reduce Head Start by $100 million, cutting slots for 30,000 children. His plan also would cut $1 billion in job training funds, 50 percent of career and technical education programs, and slash $291 million from special education for children with disabilities. The Senate aims to restore $1.5 billion in cuts proposed by President Bush, while adding $2.6 billion to further provide educators and students with the tools to succeed.

"I applaud the Senate for standing up for children and public education," said Smith. "By passing -- on a bipartisan basis -- an education funding bill that takes important steps toward meeting the needs of our public schools and the millions of students they serve, the Senate recognizes that investing in our nation’s children today is the only way to ensure a strong nation tomorrow.

"Unfortunately, the President’s veto threat undermines the public's support for investing in our children and America’s future. I urge Congress to continue to stand up for all children and again reject the President’s distorted sense of national priorities."

Smith noted that in her own state of Maryland, the Senate's plan means 500 additional children would participate in Head Start, 4,400 more students would receive federal funds for special education programs, and 28,000 students would receive career training.

"Educators, parents and students stand with the Senate to get the nation's investment priorities back on track," Smith said.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.