[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 141 (Thursday, October 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HEAD START CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION, 2014

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2013

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, after months of refusing Democratic 
calls to negotiate a replacement to the sequester that slashed over 
$400 million from the Head Start budget this year and eliminated slots 
for 50,000 children, I'm pleased to see some of my Republican 
colleagues acknowledging the importance of this early education 
program. However, to truly serve these kids and their families, we 
should pass a clean CR that will immediately send funding to those 
centers that did not receive their payments last week and then we 
should work together to replace the damaging sequester cuts.
  A clean CR would reopen all programs for vulnerable children and 
their families. It would provide funding for the Community Action 
Agencies that represent one-third of all Head Start grantees. It would 
fund child care programs that help parents find affordable and safe 
places for their children when the Head Start day ends. And it would 
fund the Social Services Block Grant that helps fill gaps in services 
to help low-income families get back on their feet.
  All of these vital programs are ignored in the resolution on the 
Floor today. I urge the Speaker to let the House vote on the Senate-
passed CR and reopen the government now.

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