| Latest
News Last updated on 7/17/08 Budget
Appropriations Numbers Look Good But Unlikely to PassThe
next round in the budget dance has begun. Both the House and Senate Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Committees
have issued their numbers, and they are requesting dollar amounts that exceed
the President's requests for FY 2009. Overall, the President requested $59.2 billion
for the Department of Education, which is the same as FY 2008. In contrast, the
House is asking for $63.6 billion and the Senate $61.8 billion. Likewise, for
Title I, President Bush asked for $14.3 billion (an increase over $13.9 in 2008),
but the House is suggesting $15.1 billion, while the Senate comes in at $14.5
billion. "The bill invests $15.1 billion for Title
I grants for low-income children, an additional $665 million over last year ($259
million over the request)," said Dave Obey (D-WI), Chairman of the House
Appropriations Committee. "These funds will provide targeted support to more
than 11,000 schools that have not met No Child Left Behind academic standards."
Regarding the Senate committee's increase over the President’s
request, Senate Appropriations Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) stated, "This
legislation is an aggressive effort to place real dollars in programs that are
vital to strengthening the foundation of this country. When it comes to investing
in America, the President's Budget is anemic." In
addition to criticizing the President's spending priorities, the House and Senate
committees are also using the appropriations to tackle issues with No Child Left
Behind. Due to controversy over the effectiveness of the Reading First program,
both of their appropriations recommendations eliminate funding for that effort.
As in previous years, if the measures don’t pass with enough votes to override
a veto, Congress may need to pass an omnibus bill in November.
For more information House
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Senate Committee on Appropriations
Committee for Education Funding
"Study:
Bush's Reading First program ineffective" USA TODAY |