This vote was on an amendment by Todd Platts, R-Pa., that would increase funding by $50 million for the Education Department’s Even Start program.  It also would reduce funding by $28 million for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, $11 million for the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, $11 million for administrative expenses of the Administration on Aging, and $900,000 from the Education Department’s management account.  The amendment was offered to the bill that funds the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education in fiscal 2008.

Platts said his amendment would provide much needed funding to the Even Start program, which helps boost literacy for children and their parents as well.

“Literacy skills are the cornerstone of our education system. I think that we can all agree that students who struggle with reading face challenges in all subject areas in school.  Unfortunately, children of parents who themselves have difficulty reading English are even more likely to perform at low literacy levels,” Platts said.  “Through this program parents receive the necessary skills to become a teacher to their children and to improve their lives.”

David Obey, D-Wis., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the Even Start program is laudable and that he supports it.  He also noted that President Bush tried to eliminate the program in his budget request for fiscal 2008.  “But I cannot support the idea of adding the additional money the gentleman proposes because he takes it from a very damaging place,” Obey said.

He said the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts out the Consumer Price Index, which is a very important statistic for quantifying the economy’s health, and for that reason alone he opposed the amendment.

The amendment was rejected by a vote of 174-250.  Of Republicans present, 150 voted for the amendment and 45 voted against it.  Of Democrats present, 24 voted for the amendment and 205 voted against it.  The end result is that the amendment that would have boosted Even Start funding and reduced funding for certain Labor Department programs was rejected.