Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 28, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. AL GREEN
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2005

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3010) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes:

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, nearly 70 years ago, Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated in his second inaugural address that "the test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." The FY06 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriation bill has failed that test.

Although I commend Chairman Regula and Mr. Obey, our ranking member, for their tireless efforts to provide deserving citizens with necessary programs, this bill is a product of having too little to fund valuable initiatives. The tax cuts enjoyed by the wealthiest 1 percent of our population have left this Congress unable to continue funding essential programs that directly impact the least, the last, and the lost. The cuts in education, energy assistance, and healthcare services are signs of what I believe are an unraveling of our economic tapestry.

Our youngest and most vulnerable citizens will be disproportionately affected by Federal fiscal budget constraints in this Labor, Health and Human Services bill. Even at birth, this bill is putting some at a disadvantage. The Maternal and Child Health Block grant program has been cut even though scientific evidence proves the importance of prenatal care. Despite the fact that we recognize the need to provide access to care for young people whose families are unable to provide other sources of treatment, this valuable program has suffered a $24 million cut.

Beyond health care, our most vulnerable citizens will continue to bear the brunt of enormous tax cuts in education. Title I funding, aimed at helping low-income children in failing schools improve their reading and math skills, will be $9.9 billion below the No Child Left Behind funding promise. And to make matters worse, the same children who will be unable to benefit from enrichment programs due to a lack of funds will go home in the winter months to cold and uncomfortable temperatures because the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has been cut by almost $200 million.

It is time to take a step back to re-evaluate the path we have chosen for the people of this Nation. I will continue to work tirelessly with my colleagues, community partners, and concerned citizens to ensure that all people are able to receive excellent care at an affordable rate-because one must not place a price tag on the health and well-being of our nation's most vulnerable citizens, our children. I would like to leave you all with some other valuable words that Mr. Roosevelt imparted to us: "It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all try something." I urge all of my colleagues to try another method.

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