Kansas Common Sense - Discussing Kansas Education Priorities with Secretary Duncan
Statement
Discussing Kansas Education Priorities with Secretary Duncan
I have believed for a long time that education works best as a local and state function, and that federal policy should allow local school districts to determine how to best use federal educational resources to effectively meet the unique needs of their students and communities. On Wednesday, I participated in a Senate Appropriations Health-Education-Labor Subcommittee hearing on the Administration's Fiscal Year 2015 budget request for the U.S. Department of Education. I am Ranking Member of this subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over funding for all accounts at the Department. Secretary Arne Duncan was the witness at this hearing.
As we strive to ensure all students have access to quality educational opportunities from early learning through Grade 12 and beyond, I believe we must do more than simply proposing new, unproven programs as the only solution, especially new competitive programs. I remain concerned with the Administration's continued emphasis on competitive grant programs, which would receive new or increased funding in the Department's FY2015 budget proposal. Of the Administration's proposed $1.3 billion increase to the Department's budget, no increase would be provided for Title I or Special Education grants that are distributed by formula to every state and are primary sources of federal education investments in Kansas. Students in Kansas and every state should benefit from any increase in funding for the Department, yet that is not what is supported by this budget request.
The President has directed the Department to develop and publish a new college rating system of higher education institutions. Performance information from this rating system could be used in the future to determine a student's financial assistance eligibility at a higher education institution. I expressed concerns to Sec. Duncan that this proposal could create disincentives for colleges and universities to improve access to all students, especially disadvantaged students. While the process of determining the metrics for the college ratings system is still ongoing, it is important to recognize that many graduates do not base their future career decisions solely on the highest paying jobs. We must encourage graduates who choose rewarding careers, such as public service or faith-based mission work.
Last year, President Obama announced the ConnectED initiative with the goal of providing high-speed Internet access to 99 percent of schools within five years. The FY2015 budget proposal includes $200 million for a new ConnectEDucators program that would provide grants for teacher professional development to improve use of technology in the classroom. Nearly 85 percent of this funding would be for competitive grants to school districts. While I am encouraged that we, as a nation, have set a goal to expand high-speed internet access to schools, rural and underserved school districts face significant challenges in competing for funding. I question why the Department would focus connectivity efforts on these schools, but then make them compete for funding to help teachers in their schools make use of technology.
Keeping our Promise to Veterans
There is no group of Americans I hold in higher regard than our nation's veterans. As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I'm committed to making those who served our nation with duty and honor receive the health care and benefits they deserve.
Caring for America's Heroes Act
On Thursday, the Caring for America's Heroes Act was introduced to help military retirees and their families have more access to treatment that supports their mental health care needs. Currently, there are statutory caps on the number of days military dependents (such as a child or spouse) and military retirees with 20 years of service can receive inpatient mental health services under TRICARE. The legislation would remove inpatient day limits to promote access to appropriate mental health services. Military retirees and their families should not have to worry about the stigma associated with mental health services and should be treated in a manner through TRICARE similar to physical injuries. As we saw with the tragedy at Fort Hood last month, the invisible wounds of war have an impact on service members, both currently serving and retired. We must bring the treatment of mental health conditions more in line with the way our health care system treats other injuries and illnesses. As "National Mental Health Awareness Month" gets underway, I remain committed to those who served our nation with duty and honor.
Holding the Department of Veterans' Affairs Accountable
All too often I hear from veterans in Kansas who think the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) is simply not living up to its duties. Many are forced to wait extended periods of time while their claims are caught up in a failing bureaucracy, or worse, veterans continue to suffer due to negligence or maltreatment. Veterans tell me they feel betrayed and are treated as though they are burden. It is our duty as a nation to care for our veterans, after their personal sacrifice and service to our nation. Unfortunately, VA leadership and accountability seem to be absent in carrying out this vow, creating a toxic environment whereby service to veterans continues to decline at a frightening rate. In an effort to change the VA, I am sponsoring the VA Management Accountability Act of 2014, a bill that would give VA Secretary Eric Shinseki the authority to fire VA Senior Executive Service (SES) or senior equivalent employees who continue to undermine the mission of the VA and service to veterans. This bill will give the Secretary opportunities to put words into actions, to enforce change in those who stifle innovation, accept mediocrity and steadfastly refuse to consider new, innovative solutions to problems in our VA system. This VA Management Accountability Act of 2014 is an unfortunate necessity to deal with the rampant dysfunction and apathy that has taken a stronghold on the VA system. Our veterans deserve better, and this bill is a positive step in the right direction in providing veterans the care and treatment they earned.
Thanking Kansans Veterans During a WWII Honor Flight
On Thursday, I had the privilege to meet with World War II veterans who were escorted by a Kansas Honor Flight to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. These Kansans served our nation honorably and it was humbling to spend time with them as they visited their memorial in our nation's capital. These veterans represent the best of America -- a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. It is because they answered the call of duty that we enjoy the freedoms we have today. The Kansas Honor Flight, Inc., enables veterans to travel to Washington, D.C. to see the WWII Memorial created in their honor and I enjoy each opportunity to visit with them and express my gratitude for their service.
Hearing on Research Innovation
On Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing on innovations through federal research. Testifying at this hearing were the heads of the following organizations: the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, U.S. Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. This hearing highlighted the significant innovations made through federal support of research, innovations that save and improve lives, reduce health care costs, create jobs, and advance technologies, medicines, and treatments. As Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Health-Education-Labor Subcommittee, I believe these objectives are bipartisan goals that we must reach by responsibly prioritizing research through the annual appropriations process.
During this hearing, I discussed with Dr. John Holdren, Director of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy, the significance of research that will take place at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan and the need for construction of NBAF to move forward as quickly as possible. . Additionally, I asked Dr. Francis Collins, Director of NIH, to explain how NIH prioritizes its budget and makes research decisions.
I greatly appreciate Dr. Collins joining me in Kansas last month to visit with researchers and highlight biomedicine and bioscience initiatives in our state. As NIH Director, he oversees the work of the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world.
Working to Save and Improve Lives Through Cancer Research
On Wednesday evening, I had the opportunity to speak to scientists and researchers at the 2014 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research Award Dinner hosted by the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR). NFCR supports numerous laboratories and scientists that have helped make possible many cancer treatments that are saving lives today. I was honored to be introduced at this event by Dr. Roy Jensen, Director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
In the field of cancer research, significant progress has been made over the past few decades and cancer mortality rates have steadily declined since 1990. As a direct result of our nation's commitment to cancer research, we have come to understand more about the nature of various forms of cancer, their complexity, and the tools needed to fight these diseases effectively. In 1971, 1 in 69 Americans was a cancer survivor. Thanks to biomedical research, today, 1 in 23 Americans is a cancer survivor -- or roughly 13 million Americans.
While statistics tell an improving story, the news of a cancer diagnosis remains a life-altering and frightening event. More than 1.6 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed this year with cancer. Cancer has become so prevalent that it is estimated that one out of every two people born today will develop cancer during their lifetime. In America, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death. But there is yet a reason to be hopeful. History demonstrates that with a strong commitment to medical research, we can continue to reduce the threat of cancer and improve the lives of patients and their families.
I believe we must prioritize medical research that saves and improves lives and reduces health care costs. Thanks to NFCR for its continuing efforts to improve the lives of cancer patients across our country.
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