Washington, D.C. - Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today released the following statement after President Bush’s speech on competitiveness at the Parkland Magnet School for Aerospace Technology in Montgomery County, Maryland.
“I was heartened to hear the President reiterate his State of the Union pledge to bolster America’s competitive edge in an era of increasing global economic competition. I think it is an urgent matter facing our nation -- and one on which there should be strong bipartisan support.
“However, I am disappointed that the President’s rhetoric is not supported by the reality of his budget priorities. The President’s budget, submitted just one week after his State of the Union address, shortchanged the education budget. Many of the proposed funds to train new math and science teachers come at the expense of other important education programs. This education funding shell game will not improve America’s competitiveness.
“President Bush spoke of the importance of the No Child Left Behind initiative. Not mentioned was the fact that the President’s budget for FY 2007 falls $15 billion short of what was promised our students and teachers under No Child Left Behind. I am sure that the students at the Parkland Magnet School can do the math and see that the Bush budget fails to meet the promises that were made.
“We must close the gap between rhetoric and resources. When it comes to education funding, the President’s budget math calls for more subtraction than addition.
“Over the next five years the President’s budget will cut $4 billion for school improvement programs including No Child Left Behind, grants for teachers, educational technology grants, funding for small and rural schools and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and $ 7.8 billion dollars for vocational education programs.
“Moreover, his budget completely eliminates important K-12 programs including $1.4 billion for teacher and student classroom technology; and $495 million for family literacy programs. Finally, the state of Maryland would lose $261.9 million in funding for K-12 and vocational education over 5 years.”