Education, Health Funding Bill Passes House

June 24, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted today to approve legislation that provides federal support to education and health care needs across the country. The bill approved today is a fiscally responsible one, appropriating $164 million less than the same version approved last year. The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006, H.R. 3010, was approved with strong bipartisan support, 250-151.

“The House has been working hard to get its work done in a timely, fiscally responsible manner this year,” Dreier said. “Under the leadership of my fellow Californian and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Jerry Lewis, we have had great success. The bill approved today is another fine example of spending the tax payers’ money wisely by establishing priorities. Yes, there are some reductions, but this legislation does include critical funding for Pell Grants, Math and Science Education, and Head Start. It also increases funding for critical research at the National Institutes of Health.”

H.R. 3010 strongly supports education funding by increasing funding for Pell Grants by over $1 billion, providing a $15 million increase for Special Education grants, and increasing the Math and Science Partnership program by $11 million to train more Math and Science teachers. The bill also fully funds the Head Start program, as well as the Troops to Teachers program. This program is designed to assist eligible members of the armed forces to obtain certification or licensure as elementary and secondary school teachers, or vocational or technical teachers. This program helps our troops secure employment and at the same time addresses the need for highly qualified teachers in many areas. In the area of disaster preparedness, the legislation also provides $2.4 billion for enhancing federal, state, and local public health response capabilities. It also includes $936 million for bio-terrorism preparedness and pandemic prevention.

Dreier commended Subcommittee Chairman Ralph Regula (R-OH) for his work on the legislation. “This is a good bill that represents our priorities well. I commend Subcommittee Chairman Regula for putting together such a balanced, fiscally responsible piece of legislation.”