[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  REGARDING THE IMPACT THAT SEQUESTRATION AND OTHER BUDGET DECISIONS 
               WOULD HAVE ON CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2012

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make my 
colleagues aware of a letter I was recently presented from Members-
elect from California who are concerned about the impact of impending 
budget decisions on infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families 
in California and throughout the Nation. I commend our colleagues for 
this letter and I share their concerns.
  The letter, signed by 11 Representatives-elect from California, led 
by Rep.-elect Julia Brownley with the support of First 5 LA highlights 
the impact of sequestration on children in California and urges 
Congress to ``protect the youngest among us.''
  I join the Members-elect in urging Congress to champion the needs of 
our most vulnerable population--our children--as we consider the 
pending decisions regarding the budget.
  The full text of letter is copied below. Signers include 
Representatives-elect Julia Brownley (CA-26), Scott Peters (CA-52), 
Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Raul Ruiz (CA-36), Mark Takano (CA-41), Jared 
Huffman (CA-02), Ami Bera (CA-07), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Gloria 
Negrete McLeod (CA-35), Juan Vargas (CA-51), and Eric Swalwell (CA-15). 


                                Congress of the United States,

                                Washington, DC, November 28, 2012.
     U.S. House of Representatives,
     U.S. Senate.
       Dear Colleague: In January, we will take office in the 
     113th Congress, Joining many of you to work together to 
     address the pressing issues facing our constituents and the 
     nation. Today we write, in advance, to share our concern 
     about the impact of sequestration and other budget decisions 
     in the days ahead on infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and 
     their families in California and throughout the nation.
       According to the a report issued by Chairman of the Senate 
     Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and 
     Related Agencies Appropriations, allowing the automatic 
     scheduled cuts to take effect the day before we enter into 
     office would mean that 120,000 young children and their 
     mothers in California will lose vital nutrition benefits 
     through the WIC program and more than 11,900 infants, 
     toddlers and preschoolers in the state would be without Head 
     Start services proven to alter their life trajectory and 
     increase the chance that they will complete college, get a 
     good job and become productive, contributing citizens. 
     Further, in California alone, 5,100 low-income children would 
     lose access to child care services which their parents rely 
     on to help them work to support their families.
       Today, children under the age of 5 represent 12 percent of 
     our national population, but 100 percent of our future. Cuts 
     to programs that serve this critical population are 
     shortsighted and will result in larger costs down the line.
       We stand ready to work with you as colleagues next year to 
     tackle the challenges which face our nation--challenges which 
     know no partisan bounds. For now, know that, as your 
     constituents, we stand behind you with the interests of the 
     youngest among us in mind as you deliberate the fate of our 
     fiscal house and a burgeoning problem which should not be 
     left to address tomorrow.
           Collegially,
         Incoming First Term Members-Elect in the California 
           Delegation--Julia Brownley, Scott Peters, Alan 
           Lowenthal, Raul Ruiz, Mark Takano, Jared Huffman, Ami 
           Bera, Tony Cardenas, Gloria Negrete McLeod, Juan 
           Vargas, Eric Swalwell.

                          ____________________