    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 28, 1999]
    [Page 1622]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Proposed Education Appropriations
    September 28, 1999

        Today the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
    appropriations committee passed a spending bill that fails to invest in
    key initiatives to raise student achievement. While its funding levels
    are better than those of the House version, the Senate bill still falls
    short of what we need to strengthen America's schools. It does not
    guarantee a single dollar for our efforts to hire quality teachers and
    reduce class size in the early grades. It cuts funding for education
    technology and underfunds such efforts as GEAR UP and after-school
    programs, and it does not provide funding to turn around failing
    schools.
        To develop world-class schools, we need to invest more and demand
    more in return. We need accountability from our schools and from our
    Congress, too.
        In addition, the reduction in funding for the social services block
    grant could severely undermine State and local efforts to provide child
    care, child welfare programs, and services for the disabled. By failing
    to fund the family caregiver initiative, the bill also withholds
    critical aid to families caring for elderly or ill relatives. The
    legislation also shortchanges public health priorities in preventive and
    mental health and underfunds programs that would give millions of
    Americans improved access to health care.
        If this bill were to come to me in its current form, I would have to
    veto it. I believe, however, that we can avoid this course. I sent the
    Congress a budget for the programs covered by this bill that provided
    for essential investments in America's needs, and that was fully paid
    for. I look forward to working with Congress on a bipartisan basis to
    ensure that this bill strengthens public education and other important
    national priorities.