GOP Leader McConnell Plays Politics With America’s Students
July 23, 2010 by khart
Filed under Education Funding, Featured News, Jobs, Top Stories
By Kevin Hart
Last night Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked the Senate from even discussing how to help America’s schools avoid a looming crisis.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) tried to bring to the Senate floor an amended version of a $10 billion House education fund that would prevent 138,000 educator layoffs nationwide. School districts across the country are dramatically increasing class sizes, cutting school weeks to four days, and eliminating crucial programs because of budget shortfalls. The new Senate amendment would have used different offsets than the House package and would have been fully paid for.
McConnell, who previously supported a massive, tax-payer funded bailout of the banking industry, blocked the amendments from even bring considered. McConnell has been the leader of a series of obstructionist moves in the Senate, in an effort to halt legislation that would help ease unemployment in the United States.
Recently, McConnell tried to block a Senate effort to extend unemployment benefits to millions of Americans. This time, McConnell’s victims are millions of American school children, who are certain to feel the pinch from an estimated 300,000 teachers, bus drivers, custodians, counselors, and other essential school staff who may not return to work for the coming school year if the education jobs fund does not pass. Furthermore, the loss of this number of jobs in communities will lead to a ripple effect of an additional 90,000 private sector jobs being lost, according to economic analysis.
Many parents and students return to schools across this country in just a few weeks and they’ll find class sizes of 40, four-day school weeks, no after school programs, and fewer course selections.
“The Senate can avert this crisis for students and communities, but Sen. McConnell won’t even let the Senate debate this question,” said Kim Anderson, Director of Government Relations for the National Education Association. “Parents expect bipartisan solutions, and right now Sen. McConnell is in the way.”
NEA and a coalition of more than 120 education and community groups continue to push for a real, unobstructed vote on the education jobs fund in the Senate. The White House, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Majority Leader Reid have all expressed their desire to pass this critically needed legislation before Congress leaves for recess. Educators, parents, students, and communities across the country are calling upon Sen. McConnell to allow an up-or-down vote.
To urge the Senate to pass this important funding, click here.
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Can you explain to me how a minority leader can block the Senate from even discussing this important legislation?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Fund the teachers not the wars.
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OK, the GOP is now going after our children. Really how many parents are going to put up with that? This is no longer about jobs or the economy. This is about Our Children and the fact they their education will suffer without this aid to the states!
To Congress: There is no logical argument, there is no magic math with which to sweep it away. You are choosing to take teachers away from our schools while your children are going to private schools. You have all made your jobs as “public servants” into a real nice gig. You lower your taxes, you raise ours. You fund two wars but cannot afford to provide for your constituants. You have failed those you propose to serve.
Your services are no longer needed.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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The idea is currently being debated on the senate floor now that it is attached to a small business bill and not a war bill. Do NOT think this is a partisan effort. I was in DC yesterday and met with my senator from the Democratic Party…she is voting NO.
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