In total, H.R. 1 authorizes $22.8 billion, about $5 billion more than was appropriated in fiscal year 2001.  This bill creates new accountability systems that hold our schools responsible for delivering the first-rate education that our children deserve.  It tackles the problem of illiteracy by creating two new reading programs and authorizing them at three times the level of past programs.  H.R 1 gives children more personal attention and improves teacher quality by almost doubling funding for class size reduction and professional development for teachers.  It authorizes $11.5 billion for Title I in 2002 with increases over five years that amount to almost twice the 2001 level.  Finally, H.R. 1 rejects both vouchers, which would drain resources from public schools, and ‘Straight As,’ which would politicize education and deny critical funding to the students who need the money most.

In sum, H.R. 1 is a remarkable measure.   My only fear is that the budget we were forced to vote on last week so binds our hands that we will not be able to keep our promises.  By enacting a $1.35 trillion tax cut and a four percent cap on discretionary spending increases, we have virtually guaranteed that we will not adequately fund all the programs we are about to authorize.   Mr. Speaker, reforms without resources will not produce results.  

I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1.  However, we must all remember that our job is not over until we meet these obligations during the appropriations process.