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WASHINGTON, DC -- President George W. Bush is visiting New Mexico and Texas today to discuss American economic competitiveness. U.S. Representative George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today in response to the President’s appearances.
“Democrats have long recognized the need for bold ideas and bold action to keep the American economy number one, so we are glad to see that President Bush is finally focusing on it. But just this week, Washington Republicans passed a misguided bill that cuts $12 billion out of the federal student aid programs and puts college even farther out of reach for millions of Americans – and the President is set to sign it. Once again, it looks like the President is saying one thing and doing another. If we want to stay number one – and we can – then we have to make college affordable for every qualified student.
“America is still the world’s economic leader, and we can keep it that way if we invest in our future. That is why Democrats introduced an ‘Innovation Agenda’ last fall that would educate 100,000 new scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in four years; redouble our nation’s commitment to research and development; push for energy independence in ten years; create affordable broadband access for all Americans; and strengthen small businesses so they can continue to innovate and compete.
“President Bush has broken a lot of his promises in the last five years, and his party’s cuts to critical college programs this week do not bode well for its future commitment to competitiveness. But if the President means what he says this time, then Democrats are ready to work with him to keep America number one.”
For more information on the Democrats’ Innovation Agenda, which was unveiled in October 2005, visit: http://www.housedemocrats.gov/news/librarydetail.cfm?library_content_id=557.
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