[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 FURTHER CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 3010, DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH 
AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2005

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3010, the 
Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Act for the Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services and Education. H.R. 3010 severely cuts 
education, health care, and human services that are crucial to North 
Carolina and to the country. This conference report is only marginally 
better than one that failed last month.
  As the only former state schools chief serving in Congress, I know 
firsthand the devastating effects that these education cuts will have. 
At a time when we are asking our schools to do more than ever, H.R. 
3010 cuts No Child Left Behind Funding by $779 million below last 
year's level and makes it impossible for our schools to meet high 
standards of accountability. These cuts will destroy the morale of our 
teachers, parents and students.
  America's working families are struggling to pay record costs for 
college tuition and expenses. Last November, President Bush made a 
campaign promise to increase funding for Pell Grants and invest in 
higher education. Even though the cost of a four year college education 
has increased thirty-four percent since 2001, the maximum Pell Grant is 
frozen at $4,050 for the fourth straight year in a row. America needs a 
highly trained and educated workforce to compete in the global 
marketplace of the 21st Century, but H.R. 3010 slashes funding for 
education at all levels and strains school budgets.
  The failure of H.R. 3010 to represent the values of the American 
people extends beyond the walls of the classroom. H.R. 3010 slashes 
funding for community health centers that assist the almost 46 million 
uninsured Americans, and under funds the Centers for Disease Control as 
we face the possibility of a flu pandemic. And as winter officially 
begins next week with expected record prices to heat their homes, H.R. 
3010 fails to increase funding for LIHEAP home heating assistance, 
which helps keep the heat on for low-income seniors and children.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3010 fails to represent the priorities of the 
American people. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bad bill and 
restore funding for essential services for our families.

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