U.S. Representative Sandy Levin
12th District of Michigan

(Washington D.C.)- Just a week after passing additional tax cuts for the very wealthy, House Republicans are back at it again attacking programs for working families contained in the House Republican Labor-HHS-Education conference report. Passing 215 to 213, the House Republican LHHS second conference report cuts critical services in labor, health, social services, and education by $1.6 billion for the poor, the sick, and the elderly below that 2005 funding level.  In a game of political arm-twisting, House Republicans threatened Members to vote for the LHHS Bill arguing that the cuts would be deeper under a continuing resolution. 

“This is just another example of the Republican-controlled Congress’ misguided budget priorities,” said Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak). “Pushing vital health and education services on the cutting room floor to pay for the tax cuts for the very rich is simply absurd. These cuts will make college less affordable, shortchange children who need help with reading and math, and keep people in Michigan and across the country from getting help with high home heating costs this winter.”

Further, under the Republican Leadership’s planned one-percent across-the-board cut, the cuts under the conference report double to $3 billion. When these cuts are added to those contained in the House Republican budget reconciliation package, Republicans will have cut critical services for Americans who need them the most by $48 billion over the next five years. On November 17th, the first Republican LHHS conference report was defeated by a vote of 209-224 on a bipartisan basis because of the deep cuts that would harm vital services for low income and working families.

PROGRAM CUTS UNDER REPUBLICAN LHHS REPORT
represented by amount below the FY 2005 Conference Report

• No Child Left Behind funding is cut $779 million in the conference report and would be cut $1 billion after the proposed one-percent across-the-board cut [which the GOP Leadership plans to pass later this week]
• As the cost of attending a 4-year college has increased by 34 percent, the maximum Pell Grant is frozen at $4,050 for the 4th straight year
• Republicans cut the Federal share of special education costs from 18.6 percent down to 18.0 percent, declining to a 17.8 percent after the across-the board-cut
• While millions of Americans remain unemployed, Republicans slash Employment and Training Activities by $529 million
• While consumers are expected to pay 44 percent more for natural gas this winter, the GOP bill failed to increase funding for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), which helps keep the heat on for low-income seniors and children
• Cuts programs to combat child, slave labor and other abuses of workers rights by over 20 percent, or $21 million

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