Senator Murray Helps to Pass Senate Spending Bill that Invests in Washington state Health Care, Education, and Workforce Priorities; Bush ...

Statement

Senator Murray Helps to Pass Senate Spending Bill that Invests in Washington state Health Care, Education, and Workforce Priorities; Bush Threatens Veto

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) voted to pass the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) Appropriations bill that funds critical health care, education, and helps build a skilled workforce in Washington state. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 75-19. President Bush has threatened to veto the bill.

In a statement, Senator Murray - a member of the LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee - urged passage of the bill, discussed the valuable investments the bill makes in Washington state, and denounced the President's threat to veto the bill.

"This bill is about making sure families have access to health care and that children get a good education. It supports cutting-edge research, helps build a skilled workforce, and ensures that crucial services are in reach for people who need them most," Senator Murray said. "Unfortunately, President Bush thinks these common sense priorities are 'irresponsible and excessive.' What's 'irresponsible and excessive' is the President's veto threat. The $11 billion increase included in this bill represents just a fraction of the $190 billion in spending he wants this year for Iraq and Afghanistan.

"At the same time that the President is waging a costly war overseas, he is also waging war on funding for priorities here at home."

The LHHS bill contains critical funding for Washington state including funding for:

* Job training and technical and career education programs
* Early childhood education programs including Head Start
* Research for life saving treatments including revolutionary cancer treatments
* School reforms, student support systems, teacher preparation and
* Community health centers

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source