Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted down the Labor, Health and Human Services & Education Appropriations Conference Report (209-224) because it would cut or freeze funding for many key federal services, including education funding and student loans. Despite the negative impact of the bill on California, 17 Members of the California Republican Congressional Delegation voted to pass the Labor-HHS-Education Conference Report that sought to cut overall funding $1.4 billion from the previous year's levels.

"As a member of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee, I am sorely disappointed with the unconscionable funding cuts in the bill.  The cuts in the Labor-HHS bill would have been devastating to the wellbeing of California and our nation's families.  I, with my colleagues in the California Democratic Delegation, will continue to fight the misguided priorities of the Republican leadership that put the interests of the wealthiest Americans in our country ahead of the interests of the majority of Americans, many of whom depend on these programs to pay college tuition, obtain good jobs and to receive the medical care they need to lead healthy lives," Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles) said.

"Today, the House took a bold step in rejecting the Congressional Republican bill because it went against America's - and California's - priorities." said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation.  "It is simply appalling that once again my California Republican House colleagues demonstrated that they are only in Washington to advance the cause of the right-wing GOP leadership, not to promote and protect the interests of all Californians."