Etheridge Introduces American Parity Act

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

October 26, 2005

Contact: Joanne Peters
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Introduces American Parity Act

Bill Will Match Iraq Spending

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) has introduced legislation that will mandate that spending on the reconstruction of Iraq be matched with spending on unmet needs here in America. H.R. 4110, The American Parity Act of 2005, would ensure that American projects receive the same funding that Iraqi projects received in the Fiscal Years 2003, 2004 and 2005 Supplemental Appropriation Acts.

"This is a question of values. Congress has a solemn obligation to make sure we make the right investments here at home. This year we will spend three times paying the interest on the national debt what we will invest in education at the federal level. That shortsightedness is an example of misplaced priorities. I strongly believe that if we spend billions of dollars to build schools and other infrastructure in Iraq, which I voted for, we can find a few dollars to invest in important priorities like schools here at home," said Etheridge.

The bill was authored by Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and has 31 cosponsors. Under the bill's provisions, the Secretary of the Treasury would be authorized to establish a formula within 30 days after the bill's enactment to determine the allocation of grants under the bill. Priority will be given to expenditures on primary, secondary and higher education, public safety, public health, social services for the poor and elderly, roads, transportation, water infrastructure and housing.

Since the war began, 2,717 schools have been rebuilt or repaired in Iraq and 26,000 teachers and administrators have been trained. During the same period, a $9 billion cut has been proposed for student loans in America, 28,000 children have been eliminated from Head Start and $39 billion has been cut from No Child Left Behind.

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