Washington, DC - Congressman Towns (D-Brooklyn) expressed concern over 

a new report released by the Democratic staff of the House Budget 

Committee, which details the impact of the Bush Administration’s plan to 

cut $1.5 billion in federal education assistance in 2006.

"Education has the power to open the doors of opportunity," said Rep. 

Towns. "But landmark education reforms that were supposed to support our 

schools have turned into an empty promise and an unfunded mandate.  IT 

is much easier to pass an education bill with a lot of fanfare and call 

it the No Child Left Behind bill.  But when push comes to shove, the 

Administration submits an education plan that leaves all the children 

behind." 

A White House memorandum of May 19 confirms that the President is 

planning to offer a budget that would cut $1.5 billion from education 

programs nationwide.  The new report released at the end of August, 

shows that the planned cuts will have to be absorbed by all areas of the 

education budget including public school programs and in college grants.

"Under the Administration's plan for 2006, all school districts would 

likely receive a cut in funding in the Title I program, which was 

specifically set up to help children at risk of educational failure and 

students in high poverty schools," said Towns.  "How are students going 

to meet the academic achievement standards required by No Child Left 

Behind if we do not provide schools with the resources to help their 

students.  This makes absolutely no sense." 

Other educational areas that could be cut include Pell Grants, which 

help low-income students finance college, special education funding and 

vocational training.

"This Administration likes to cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans," 

said Towns. "Unfortunately, important social programs like education and 

health care, pay for these tax cuts when they are slashed.

"We have to do better," Towns continued.  "As our children head back to 

school all over the country, Democrats are fighting to make sure the 

doors of opportunity stay open for all our students.  We have to fully 

fund education, so that our children can get the education they need to 

compete for the good paying jobs of the 21st century."

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