U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) expressed concerns with the amount of funding for education in the newly released budget from the White House. "Once again the Administration is shortchanging the future of our Nation," Rahall said. "By cutting money reserved for education, this budget puts the future of American prosperity and security at risk."

The new budget makes cuts to many programs, nearly one third of which are in our children's educations. "I have said it before and I will say it again, we cannot have a 1st class Nation on a two bit education system," Rahall continued. "We must adequately fund our education system if we want to keep pace with the rest of the world and have educated leaders for our future."

The budget cuts $2.6 billion from education programs and sends $3.1 billion to other countries in foreign aid.

"Rather than investing in our future business leaders, government, security and military leaders, those in charge want to put our money towards building the future of other Nations," continued Rahall. "Why should we sacrifice the future of America to help other Nations build their governments, businesses, and militaries?"

One of the 48 programs to be cut is the federal Perkins loans to help students pay for higher education. The budget also calls for colleges to pay back all the money they have given to students in Perkins loans, estimated at $6 billion nationwide.

"With the cost of college continually on the rise, this cut to Perkins loans will make it much harder for West Virginians to afford college," said Rahall. "To pay back the old loans, colleges will have to raise tuition and if the Republicans get what they want and future loans are eliminated, the higher cost of education may force many potential leaders to end their education."

"Look at some of the programs being terminated: Alcohol Abuse Reduction, the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships, Education Technology State Grants, Elementary and Secondary School Counseling, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities State Grants, Teacher Quality Enhancement and even every dime allocated to Vocational Education," said Rahall. "These programs are a huge part of educating our sons and daughters from head start through college and without the programs our schools will not be able to do the best job possible."

Rahall concluded, "Without an educated population we will not be able to keep up with the many growing countries around the world. To secure America and prosper in the future we must adequately fund education."