House Panel Delays Vote On $2.5 Billion Early Childhood Program Package

Wed. Jun 25, 2008


by Andy Leonatti

WASHINGTON (June 25, 2008) - The House Education and Labor Committee delayed final passage Wednesday of a $2.5 billion grant package to help states expand pre-kindergarten education programs for children.

The committee was moving toward a final vote on the bill (H.R. 3289) when parliamentary questions arose over an immigration-related amendment offered by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., and a second-degree amendment from Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga.

The bill would authorize $500 million annually from FY09-FY13 for states to receive voluntary grants for increasing the number of early childhood educators with bachelor's degrees, reducing student-teacher ratios, implementing research-based curricula, providing health screenings and nutritional assistance.

"A dollar spent on a child's future is a dollar invested, not a dollar consumed," said House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller, D-Calif. "That's because fully nurturing, educating and supporting young children reaps dramatic benefits as they grow up."

House Education and Labor ranking member Howard (Buck) McKeon, R-Calif., opposed the bill, calling it an attempt at "universal pre-kindergarten program," duplicative of the already established Head Start program which enjoys bipartisan support. Head Start provides early childhood education for low-income children. Head Start is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), while the new program would be run by the Department of Education.

"Are we creating one system for low-income children and another system for everyone else?" McKeon asked. "With this new program at the Department of Education, are we saying that non-Head Start children should have a more academic focus in their pre-k programs?"

The committee rejected an amendment from McKeon 25-18 [Vote 1] that would have required states to use funds for covering all Head Start eligible children before using grant money on other pre-kindergarten programs. McKeon said he was for fully funding Head Start before creating a new program.

The amendment triggered an angry response from Democrats who felt Republicans did not do enough while in the majority to fully fund Head Start.

"I'm for fully funding Head Start. That's why I voted against the [Bush] tax cuts," said Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J.

Republicans offered amendments to bring the program more in line with Head Start standards and roll back requirements they deemed unfair, such as requiring all early childhood teachers to have bachelor's degrees within five years for a state to use grant money to expand a pre-kindergarten program, but Miller and the bill's sponsor, Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, pointed out the grants were voluntary.

But Foxx's amendment that would have prevented any illegal immigrants or foreign nationals lacking permanent residence from receiving benefits brought the proceedings to a standstill.

It was pointed out that the phrase "for permanent residence" would disqualify many legal non-residents from receiving benefits, which Foxx said was unintentional. When an attempt at a unanimous consent resolution to remove the phrase was turned down, Price offered a second-degree amendment removing the phrase, which was rejected by voice vote. A roll call vote and an expected roll call vote on the Foxx amendment will be taken Thursday.

Price then attempted to offer another amendment assuring benefits will be provided "only to children who are U.S. citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for residence in the United States." The amendment was also rejected by voice vote, and a roll call will be taken Thursday.

Foxx said the amendment was about upholding the "rule of law," but Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Texas, said that "schools will not play border patrol agent."

Proceedings were delayed until Thursday when McKeon and Miller had to serve as managers for debate on a bill on the House floor.

The committee also rejected 25-18 [Vote 2] an amendment from Rep. Michael Castle, R-Del., attempting to bring the bill in line with Head Start standards, including changing the definition of a qualified state to a that that uses curricula aligned with Head Start standards, and ensure that 50 percent of state-funded pre-kindergarten teachers have bachelor's degrees by 2013. Miller said the amendment would force states to adopt Head Start curricula.

The committee also rejected 26-17 [Vote 4], and amendment from Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La., striking language in the bill that states give priority to low-income children instead making states give assurance that they are serving low-income children first.

Boustany said Congress "should not be in the business of undercutting state efforts" to target low-income children. Although Boustany noted he intended to support the bill because it would be beneficial to his state, he said the bill provides no assurances that the neediest children, which could include rural, would receive assistance because the bill targets low-income communities.

"We may be leaving some rural states behind," Boustany said. The committee did accept on voice vote an amendment from Rep. Phil Hare, D-Ill., requiring states to include in grant applications description of how they are addressing children in rural areas.

The committee also accepted an amendment from Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., allowing grant funds to be used for pre-kindergarten teacher mentoring.

"Limited federal resources should be used for direct services to children," McKeon said in opposition to the amendment. The amendment was approved 26-17 [Vote 3] when Davis said mentoring would improve teacher retention.

On Thursday, besides the amendments from Price and Foxx, the committee will vote on:

• Another Price amendment providing assistance or vouchers for parents to choose pre-kindergarten providers, including religious, non-profit or a state-run school.
• A Price amendment requiring the bill to comply with "pay-go" rules for budget offsets.


Bill: H.R.3289 Vote: 1

McKeon amendment ensuring all HeadStart Children are covered before other funds are spending on expanding pre-kindergarten programs.

Tally: 18 Yes, 25 No, 5 Not Voting

Democrats (27)

N    Miller (D-Calif.)
NV   Kildee (D-Mich.)
N    Payne (D-N.J.)
N    Andrews (D-N.J.)
N    Scott (D-Va.)
N    Woolsey (D-Calif.)
N    Hinojosa (D-Texas)
N    McCarthy (D-N.Y.)
N    Tierney (D-Mass.)
N    Kucinich (D-Ohio)
N    Wu (D-Ore.)
N    Holt (D-N.J.)
N    Davis (D-Calif.)
N    Davis (D-Ill.)
N    Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
N    Bishop (D-N.Y.)
N    Sanchez (D-Calif.)
N    Sarbanes (D-Md.)
N    Sestak (D-Pa.)
N    Loebsack (D-Iowa)
N    Hirono (D-Hawaii)
N    Altmire (D-Pa.)
NV   Yarmuth (D-Ky.)
N    Hare (D-Ill.)
N    Clarke (D-N.Y.)
N    Courtney (D-Conn.)
N    Shea-Porter (D-N.H.)

Republicans (21)

Y    McKeon (R-Calif.)
Y    Petri (R-Wis.)
NV   Hoekstra (R-Mich.)
Y    Castle (R-Del.)
Y    Souder (R-Ind.)
NV   Ehlers (R-Mich.)
Y    Biggert (R-Ill.)
Y    Platts (R-Pa.)
Y    Keller (R-Fla.)
Y    Wilson (R-S.C.)
Y    Kline (R-Minn.)
Y    McMorris (R-Wash.)
Y    Marchant (R-Texas)
Y    Price (R-Ga.)
Y    Fortuno (R-Puerto Rico)
Y    Boustany (R-La.)
Y    Foxx (R-N.C.)
Y    Kuhl (R-N.Y.)
NV   Bishop (R-Utah)
Y    Davis (R-Tenn.)
Y    Walberg (R-Mich.)


Bill: H.R.3289 Vote: 2

Castle amendment to bring bill in line with requirements of the HeadStart program.

Tally: 18 Yes, 25 No, 5 Not Voting

Democrats (27)

N    Miller (D-Calif.)
NV   Kildee (D-Mich.)
N    Payne (D-N.J.)
N    Andrews (D-N.J.)
N    Scott (D-Va.)
N    Woolsey (D-Calif.)
N    Hinojosa (D-Texas)
N    McCarthy (D-N.Y.)
N    Tierney (D-Mass.)
N    Kucinich (D-Ohio)
N    Wu (D-Ore.)
N    Holt (D-N.J.)
N    Davis (D-Calif.)
N    Davis (D-Ill.)
N    Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
N    Bishop (D-N.Y.)
N    Sanchez (D-Calif.)
N    Sarbanes (D-Md.)
N    Sestak (D-Pa.)
N    Loebsack (D-Iowa)
N    Hirono (D-Hawaii)
N    Altmire (D-Pa.)
NV   Yarmuth (D-Ky.)
N    Hare (D-Ill.)
N    Clarke (D-N.Y.)
N    Courtney (D-Conn.)
N    Shea-Porter (D-N.H.)

Republicans (21)

Y    McKeon (R-Calif.)
Y    Petri (R-Wis.)
NV   Hoekstra (R-Mich.)
Y    Castle (R-Del.)
Y    Souder (R-Ind.)
NV   Ehlers (R-Mich.)
Y    Biggert (R-Ill.)
Y    Platts (R-Pa.)
Y    Keller (R-Fla.)
Y    Wilson (R-S.C.)
Y    Kline (R-Minn.)
Y    McMorris (R-Wash.)
Y    Marchant (R-Texas)
Y    Price (R-Ga.)
Y    Fortuno (R-Puerto Rico)
Y    Boustany (R-La.)
Y    Foxx (R-N.C.)
Y    Kuhl (R-N.Y.)
NV   Bishop (R-Utah)
Y    Davis (R-Tenn.)
Y    Walberg (R-Mich.)


Bill: H.R.3289 Vote: 3

Davis amendment making pre-kindergarten teacher mentoring an accepted use of grand funds,

Tally: 26 Yes, 17 No, 5 Not Voting

Democrats (27)

Y    Miller (D-Calif.)
NV   Kildee (D-Mich.)
Y    Payne (D-N.J.)
Y    Andrews (D-N.J.)
Y    Scott (D-Va.)
Y    Woolsey (D-Calif.)
Y    Hinojosa (D-Texas)
Y    McCarthy (D-N.Y.)
Y    Tierney (D-Mass.)
Y    Kucinich (D-Ohio)
Y    Wu (D-Ore.)
Y    Holt (D-N.J.)
Y    Davis (D-Calif.)
Y    Davis (D-Ill.)
Y    Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
Y    Bishop (D-N.Y.)
Y    Sanchez (D-Calif.)
Y    Sarbanes (D-Md.)
Y    Sestak (D-Pa.)
Y    Loebsack (D-Iowa)
Y    Hirono (D-Hawaii)
Y    Altmire (D-Pa.)
NV   Yarmuth (D-Ky.)
Y    Hare (D-Ill.)
Y    Clarke (D-N.Y.)
Y    Courtney (D-Conn.)
Y    Shea-Porter (D-N.H.)

Republicans (21)

N    McKeon (R-Calif.)
N    Petri (R-Wis.)
NV   Hoekstra (R-Mich.)
N    Castle (R-Del.)
N    Souder (R-Ind.)
NV   Ehlers (R-Mich.)
N    Biggert (R-Ill.)
Y    Platts (R-Pa.)
N    Keller (R-Fla.)
N    Wilson (R-S.C.)
N    Kline (R-Minn.)
N    McMorris (R-Wash.)
N    Marchant (R-Texas)
N    Price (R-Ga.)
N    Fortuno (R-Puerto Rico)
N    Boustany (R-La.)
N    Foxx (R-N.C.)
N    Kuhl (R-N.Y.)
NV   Bishop (R-Utah)
N    Davis (R-Tenn.)
N    Walberg (R-Mich.)


Bill: H.R.3289 Vote: 4

Boustany amendment to ensure states will give priority to low-income children.

Tally: 17 Yes, 26 No, 5 Not Voting

Democrats (27)

N    Miller (D-Calif.)
NV   Kildee (D-Mich.)
N    Payne (D-N.J.)
N    Andrews (D-N.J.)
N    Scott (D-Va.)
N    Woolsey (D-Calif.)
N    Hinojosa (D-Texas)
N    McCarthy (D-N.Y.)
N    Tierney (D-Mass.)
N    Kucinich (D-Ohio)
N    Wu (D-Ore.)
N    Holt (D-N.J.)
N    Davis (D-Calif.)
N    Davis (D-Ill.)
N    Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
N    Bishop (D-N.Y.)
N    Sanchez (D-Calif.)
N    Sarbanes (D-Md.)
N    Sestak (D-Pa.)
N    Loebsack (D-Iowa)
N    Hirono (D-Hawaii)
N    Altmire (D-Pa.)
NV   Yarmuth (D-Ky.)
N    Hare (D-Ill.)
N    Clarke (D-N.Y.)
N    Courtney (D-Conn.)
N    Shea-Porter (D-N.H.)

Republicans (21)

Y    McKeon (R-Calif.)
Y    Petri (R-Wis.)
NV   Hoekstra (R-Mich.)
Y    Castle (R-Del.)
Y    Souder (R-Ind.)
NV   Ehlers (R-Mich.)
Y    Biggert (R-Ill.)
N    Platts (R-Pa.)
Y    Keller (R-Fla.)
Y    Wilson (R-S.C.)
Y    Kline (R-Minn.)
Y    McMorris (R-Wash.)
Y    Marchant (R-Texas)
Y    Price (R-Ga.)
Y    Fortuno (R-Puerto Rico)
Y    Boustany (R-La.)
Y    Foxx (R-N.C.)
Y    Kuhl (R-N.Y.)
NV   Bishop (R-Utah)
Y    Davis (R-Tenn.)
Y    Walberg (R-Mich.)

  •  
  •