News from the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
John Boehner, Chairman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2001		 CONTACTS: Dave Schnittger
or Heather Valentine
Telephone: (202) 225-4527

Boehner Challenges Democrat Leader Gephardt to Make Good on Education Spending Pledge

Invites Dem Leader to Identify Programs He Would Work With Republicans to Streamline

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The chairman of the House-Senate panel negotiating the final details of President Bush’s education bill today welcomed comments made by House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press in which Gephardt called for an across-the-board review of federal spending - including education - to ensure that federal dollars are spent responsibly.

“The Minority Leader’s comments come at a critical time for the education bill,” said Rep. John Boehner (R-OH). “The days ahead will decide whether Democrats and Republicans are serious about sending the President a bill that targets resources to proven programs for disadvantaged students, or whether that’s just talk.”

The House-passed version of the President’s plan would streamline federal education programs while providing a significant increase for programs that have been proven to work for disadvantaged students. But a Senate-passed version would create dozens of new, unproven programs instead of targeting increases to existing programs that work. Boehner has challenged conferees - Democrat and Republican alike - to craft a final bill that mirrors the House version and reflects President Bush’s original intent.

“I hope Mr. Gephardt will identify some specific programs he’d be willing to see streamlined and consolidated. He has my word that his recommendations will be taken seriously,” Boehner said.

With the help of 197 House Democrats, the House passed an education bill that targets funding toward disadvantaged students and reduces the overall number of Elementary and Secondary Education Act programs from 55 to 47. The Democrat-led Senate passed a bill that increases the overall number of ESEA programs from 55 to 89.

“Can we conclude that the Minority Leader prefers the House-passed version? Even that information would provide valuable direction,” Boehner noted. “Students and local schools will be watching to see whether the Minority Leader’s actions are good as his sound bites.”

###

Press Releases