SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

This afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee approved its FY 2025 spending bill which, as we noted last night, decimates funding for libraries and education. This bill now heads to the floor for full House consideration before the end of July, where it is likely to pass. Although this is just one step in a long road towards final passage – which is not likely to be resolved until after the November elections –ALA is disappointed that House Republicans have chosen to cut spending for libraries and education.  Stay tuned!

Below is a sampling of just a few programs that are cut in the Republicans bill.

·       Library Services and Technology Act -$25.3 million

·       Institute of Museum and Library Services -$45.3 million

·       Title I Grants for local education agencies -$4.719 billion

·       ESEA Title II Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants -$1.681 billion

·       State Assessments -$380 million

·       Teacher and School Leader Incentive Grants -$60 million

·       Arts in Education -$36.5 million

·       Full-Service Community Schools -$75 million

·       English Language Acquisition -$890 million

·       Career, Technical and Adult Education National Programs -$5 million

·       Federal Work Study -$615 million

·       Teacher Quality Partnerships -$70 million

·       Institute of Education Sciences (IES) -$52.7 million

·       Regional Educational Laboratories -$53.7 million

·       Department of Labor Youth Activities -$948 million

·       DOL Apprenticeship Grants -$135 million

I wanted to share comments from Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) delivered at the start of today's hearing and which forcefully makes the case of how disappointing the House Republican's bill is for education. Below are highlights from her comments:

For the second year in a row, the majority's bill prophesies the complete destruction of public education, fully obstructing the path for America's children to achieve the American dream.

Last year, the Republican majority put forth a Labor-HHS-Education bill that would have taken 224,000 teachers out of classrooms; eliminated job opportunities for young adults, seniors, and working families; and jeopardized maternal, pediatric, and public health.

I am exasperated that the majority is taking this committee, the Congress, and the American people down this path once again.

....

This bill decimates support for K-12 education, and it abandons college students and lower-income workers trying to gain an education or advance their career for their chance at the American Dream.

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We know that this bill will never become law. But I thank the Republican majority for once again demonstrating beyond any doubt where they seek to take public education in this country.

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The Republican majority cuts the Department of Education by $11 billion, including $5 billion cut from Title I which will take at least 72,000 teachers out of low-income classrooms, in the midst of a teacher shortage.

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This bill does not just demolish public education. This bill eliminates opportunity for young Americans from Kindergarten to High School, and anyone who may aspire to go to college, learn a new skill, or begin a more fulfilling career.

Work-based financial aid from Federal Work Study for 315,000 students who need it to help finance their post-secondary education is cut in half – limiting their potential earnings and future success in the job market – as is need-based financial aid for more than 800,000 low-income students who use Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants to finance their education.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Youth Job Training grants are completely eliminated, destroying training and opportunity services for 135,000 youth.

Thank you!

Kevin