Statement of Sandra Feldman, President
American Federation of Teachers
On the Fiscal Year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

Washington, D.C. — Today, Senate Republicans failed to get the necessary votes to push through an omnibus funding bill containing a host of measures that could not pass with straight up or down votes. We commend the senators who stood in support of our nation’s public schools and workers by successfully blocking vouchers and efforts to limit overtime pay. Even if this is a short-term victory, we believe it sends an important message that Republican leaders need to work with all of their colleagues to represent the interests and needs of all Americans.

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The AFT represents more than 1.3 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support employees, higher education faculty, nurses and other healthcare workers, and state and local government employees.