Democrats said they opposed the cuts in the interim spending bill, but most voted for them on a temporary basis to prevent another government shutdown. Many members of the Congressional Black Caucus voted against the interim measure but focused all of their criticism on Republicans.
"Cuts in education are further proof that the Republican Party has not only lost its heart and soul, but has also lost its mind," said Rep. William Clay (DMO), a CBC member and ranking Democrat on the House Education and Labor Committee.
Though the bill lasts only through mid-March, some observers believe its recommendations could continue through the rest of the 1996 fiscal year. That may occur, they said, because the five-month stalemate on budget legislation has left Congress and the White House far behind on other legislative business, including fiscal planning for 1997 that normally begins in February.
By law, President Clinton had to release a 1997 budget document on Feb. 5, even though the White House could present only a statement of general principles because of the continued budget uncertainty for fiscal 1996. The statement said the White House wants to maintain previously announced "investments in education and training," and specifically pointed to Pell Grants, Head Start, aid to disadvantaged children and AmeriCorps as among top investment priorities.
COPYRIGHT 1996 Cox, Matthews & Associates
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
