[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 29, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXPLANATION OF VOTES ON THE FY98 LABOR/HHS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

 Mr. ABRAHAM: Mr. President, I supported an amendment offered 
by Senator Gorton which would block grant several K-12 education 
programs directly down to local school districts. I believe Mr. 
Gorton's amendment moves in a positive direction for education 
spending. By cutting out levels of bureaucratic red tape, Mr. Gorton's 
amendment would actually send more money into the classroom.
  As we determine the best possible way to spend scarce education 
resources, I believe it is essential to ensure that the largest 
possible portion of our education spending makes it way into a 
classroom. I believe Mr. Gorton's amendment achieves this objective. By 
using the same appropriations level for these programs as last year and 
block granting that amount to the most local level, the Gorton 
amendment will actually provide $670 million in additional money to 
local school districts. For this reason, I supported this important 
amendment.

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