Statement by Edward J. McElroy
Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Teachers
Budget Resolutions Ignore America’s Needs

The House passed the FY 2005 budget resolution today; the Senate passed a similar version March 12.

Washington, D.C.—The Republican-led House and Senate have overlooked the needs of the American people with passage of their budget resolutions. Once again, tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans have taken priority over critical domestic programs including education, healthcare, Medicare and Social Security. This is especially bad policy at a time when thousands of Americans remain unemployed, states are struggling to meet the needs of their citizens, and underfunded public schools are working harder than ever to meet the demands placed on them by Congress under the No Child Left Behind Act.

By voting down Rep. John Spratt’s substitute amendment, Congress missed an opportunity to properly prioritize the nation’s domestic agenda. The Spratt amendment would have boosted funding for education and healthcare programs, protected Social Security and Medicare, helped create jobs and moved the country toward a balanced federal budget. It is unfortunate that Congress chose to serve the few rather than make a significant difference for many.

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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.