[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REVERSE THE CLINTON CUTS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION

  (Mr. SCHAFFER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately the Clinton administration 
has backed away from the Federal commitment to fund special education 
adequately. For the second consecutive year the administration has 
chosen to cut special education funding. For those who have any doubts, 
I urge them to look up the figures for themselves. By the time you 
factor in inflation and new children coming into the system special 
education students will receive less. Despite Clinton cuts to special 
education, congressional Republicans have worked hard to see that we 
make progress toward filling the IDEA program or the Individuals with 
Disabilities Act mandate. Over the last 3 years, Republicans have 
fought for and achieved dramatic funding increases for this important 
program. We will fight for another increase this year. Children with 
special needs should not be shortchanged by the Federal Government and 
the political priorities of the White House should not prevail at the 
expense of America's children. I urge my colleagues to reverse the 
Clinton cuts to special education.

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