This article originally appeared in the American Educational Research Association, Research Policy Notes - Organization of Institutional Affiliates Info Memo, March 2005. It is reproduced here at the permission of the American Educational Research Association.

APPROPRIATORS STAND UP FOR EDUATION

In her maiden appearance before the House and Senate subcommittees dealing with the education appropriations, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings delivered a surprising and alarming message: Contain spending for the department. Citing other spending priorities such as the military and homeland security, the Secretary's presentation might have been mistaken for that of a defense contractor. Her message served to unite the Members in bipartisan opposition to her request. Republican and Democratic Appropriations subcommittee members enumerated a list of reasons why more federal funding would be needed for education.

In the Senate subcommittee hearing Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) handed off the gavel to ranking member Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) when he was forced to leave the hearing for other duties. Sen. Specter commented about the team he and Sen. Harkin had become during the many years they worked together. Although full committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) was sitting directly to Sen. Specter's right, Sen. Specter made a show of looking around the room before declaring there were no other Republicans present so the gavel must go to Sen. Harkin.

Sen. Specter questioned the number of program eliminations and reductions and requested more information justifying the Administration's actions. During his allotted time, Sen. Cochran made comments about the need for Title I and increased funding for teacher training. Sen. Harkin questioned the shift by the Administration toward new high school priorities when existing programs were underfunded, and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-MI) pointed out the important role Pell grants play in higher education.

The remarks in the House subcommittee were equally encouraging for educators concerned about reduction and elimination of federal programs. Every Republican subcommittee member attending the hearing, as well as all the Democrats, took umbrage at the Administration numbers for education, each championing different programs for continued funding. Subcommittee Chairman Regula (R-16-OH) led off immediately following Sec. Spellings comments by stating that more money would go to education. In a most unusual display of nonsupport for the Administration's education budget, all the Republican members except Chairman Regula exited the hearing just moments before full Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-41-CA) was top speak in favor of the Administration goals of containing spending and providing “maximum flexibility.”

Members supporting increased education funding at the hearing included: Republicans Ernest Istook (5-OK); Roger Wicker (1-MS); John Peterson (5-PA); Don Sherwood (10-PA); Dave Weldon (15-FL); and Kay Granger (12-TX); and Democrats David Obey (7-WI); Nita Lowey (18-NY); Patrick Kennedy (1-RI); and Rosa DeLauro (3-CT).

Given the tenor of the times, it is an act of political courage for appropriators, especially Republicans, to stake out positions in opposition to the White House and their party's leadership. It is especially noteworthy that they announced their stand in such a public fashion so early in the legislative process, a further harbinger of a very exciting and important year in education appropriations.