FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2000

Contact: Josh Freed
(202) 225-4431

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (CO-1) met with President Clinton and congressional Democrats this afternoon to discuss serious concerns about the lack of urgency on the part of the Republican majority to complete the Federal budget and address the nation’s critical education needs.

Democratic leaders met after Republicans announced today that they would not be able to complete the remaining appropriations bills again this week and would require a fourth extension to keep the government operating. Since October 1, the Federal government has operated on temporary funding extensions.

Rep. DeGette pointed to the failure of the majority to address issues like providing a prescription drug benefit for seniors, dedicating funds for rebuilding schools and reducing classroom sizes, enacting meaningful gun safety legislation, or giving Americans a true Patients’ Bill of Rights.

“Even as this Congress has failed to address major issues of concern to the American people, the majority has been unable to even meet its basic duty of passing annual spending bills,” said Rep. Diana DeGette. “Congress should work expeditiously in a bipartisan fashion on behalf of the American people without jeopardizing our progress and prosperity.”

Rep. DeGette and other Democrats called on the Republican leadership to move aggressively in the final days of the legislative session to pass measures to fix crumbling school buildings, reduce class size and fund after-school programs. Despite this year’s record budget surpluses and strong public support, the Republican-led Congress has yet to take up the issue of education.
 
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