Lowey statement at full Committee markup of 2016 Labor-HHS-Education bill

It has been six years since the full committee last considered the Labor-HHS-Education bill, and for that reason alone I would like to express my appreciation to Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and Chairman Rogers.

This is one of the committee's most important bills and has the potential to provide opportunity by investing in education and job training, vital health and safety net initiatives, and key worker protections. Unfortunately, the bill is an affront to women, families, and all hardworking Americans. It would backtrack on federal efforts to improve schools and help teachers, undermine public health, and place Americans' financial security at risk.

The grossly inadequate allocation is $3.7 billion below current levels, and $14.7 billion less than the President's request. The litany of dangerous cuts is too long for me to detail, but it would, in short:

• Increase college debt for needy students by slashing $370 million from Pell Grants;
• Rescind $6.3 billion in health reform investments;
• Eliminate family planning;
• Slash teen pregnancy prevention by 91 percent;
• Reduce job training programs by $140 million;
• Kill two dozen education programs, including investments in science and math;
• Make the day of special interests with riders that oppose labor, jeopardize the retirement security of seniors, and restrict the reproductive health choices of women; and
• Cut $110 million from the CDC's Tobacco Prevention program, even though tobacco-related illnesses cost the U.S. $170 billion annually in health care expenditures.

With cuts to preschool development grants, STEM, Pell and job training programs, this bill would make it harder for Americans to secure a good job, own a home, send their kids to college, and build a secure retirement. It would also put our public health at risk, shortchanging important investments that support medical countermeasures and combat pandemic flu.

Despite these serious concerns, there are some positive aspects. The National Institutes of Health performs vital research and makes sure medical breakthroughs happen here, rather than abroad, and I am very pleased with the proposed $1.1 billion increase.

In addition, compared to previous proposals from Republicans on this committee, increases for Head Start and IDEA State Grants could make a real difference in the lives of children in need.

Throughout this appropriations season I've heard about difficult choices. We could make the choice, today, to work together on a deal to remove the sequester and fund the government at levels that would not leave us behind in a global market. That is a choice we could make. But this bill, and these funding levels, is a consequence of the Congress's choice of inaction.

I thank Chairman Cole for his efforts, but until we come together to find a solution to mindless austerity caps, we will continue down this endless path with no destination in sight.