July 25, 2003
Washington, DC – Early this morning, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and House Democrats voted against a Republican Head Start reauthorization bill, the so-called Readiness for School Act, that will radically alter what is perhaps the most successful early education program in the history of this country. The Republican bill would shift the administration of Head Start to the states through an eight-state pilot program and would reduce the comprehensive medical and nutritional resources that have been at the center of Head Start throughout the program’s 38-year existence.
Last week, Republicans were forced to delay a scheduled vote on the School Readiness Act because a massive nationwide grassroots campaign by Head Start proponents successfully pressured some Republicans to buck their leadership. Yesterday, after much lobbying, the House Republican leadership barely could claim victory, 217-216. 12 Republicans voted against the bill. Not one single Democrat voted for the bill.
Although the Senate has yet to act on the measure, the bill’s relaxing of the comprehensive services provided under Head Start currently will be devastating for the children of the East Bay and throughout the country. In the East Bay, 83% of Head Start students have received basic primary health care, and 75% have a continuous, accessible source for dental care.
“This is a horrible day,” said Lee. “This bill will not prepare students for school. In fact, this bill begins to dismantle Head Start, ensuring that these students -- our students -- will be left behind. This bill is not a school readiness plan, but the beginning of the end for Head Start as we know it.”
“This fight is not over,” said Lee. “We will work to influence our colleagues in the Senate to oppose this terrible bill.”
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Outraged by Vote to Dismantle Head Start
In 1-vote Loss, Democrats United in Efforts to Save Head Start
Washington, DC – Early this morning, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and House Democrats voted against a Republican Head Start reauthorization bill, the so-called Readiness for School Act, that will radically alter what is perhaps the most successful early education program in the history of this country. The Republican bill would shift the administration of Head Start to the states through an eight-state pilot program and would reduce the comprehensive medical and nutritional resources that have been at the center of Head Start throughout the program’s 38-year existence.
Last week, Republicans were forced to delay a scheduled vote on the School Readiness Act because a massive nationwide grassroots campaign by Head Start proponents successfully pressured some Republicans to buck their leadership. Yesterday, after much lobbying, the House Republican leadership barely could claim victory, 217-216. 12 Republicans voted against the bill. Not one single Democrat voted for the bill.
Although the Senate has yet to act on the measure, the bill’s relaxing of the comprehensive services provided under Head Start currently will be devastating for the children of the East Bay and throughout the country. In the East Bay, 83% of Head Start students have received basic primary health care, and 75% have a continuous, accessible source for dental care.
“This is a horrible day,” said Lee. “This bill will not prepare students for school. In fact, this bill begins to dismantle Head Start, ensuring that these students -- our students -- will be left behind. This bill is not a school readiness plan, but the beginning of the end for Head Start as we know it.”
“This fight is not over,” said Lee. “We will work to influence our colleagues in the Senate to oppose this terrible bill.”
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