09.27.18

Ranking Member Scott Statement on Labor-HHS-Education Funding Package

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement following passage of the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act of 2019.

“This funding package is a bipartisan rejection of President Trump’s proposed cuts to education, workplace safety and training, and programs that expand access to affordable health care for families across the country.

In fact, many programs targeted by the administration for Draconian cuts or outright elimination are preserved or expanded in this bill.

“As with any compromise, this agreement is far from perfect. For example, while this bill provides incremental increases to programs that support working families, it still falls well short of what’s required to restore economic mobility to all Americans.

“Overall, this is a spending package worthy of bipartisan support. For the first time in four decades, this spending package does not include a restriction on the use of federal funds to integrate schools. And, during floor discussions, we reached bipartisan consensus that existing law prohibits the use of federal funds to arm teachers.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for finding a compromise that preserves critical investments in our future.”

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