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In This Issue
A Call to Service, Common Purpose
On January 20, 2009, America inaugurated its 44th—and first African-American—president, Barack Obama. In his inaugural address, President Obama called for an "era of responsibility," pledging that the federal government will be more transparent, effective, and accountable, while also asking Americans to work together despite their differences and engage in service to each other and the country. Echoing his calls on the campaign trail for parent involvement, President Obama stated: "It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child that finally decides our fate."
Serving our schools
The President also pledged that his administration will forgo ideology in evaluating government programs, eliminating those that do not work and focusing on those that do. Regarding education, Obama stated, "our schools fail too many," and promised to "transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of the new age."
The day before the Inauguration, President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and their families honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and work by committing themselves to public service in the nation's capital. After visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center in the morning, the President volunteered at the Sasha Bruce Youthwork shelter for homeless teens, renovating "safe space" housing. The President also visited Coolidge Senior High School where he met with volunteers and reiterated his call for public service to extend beyond one day or one presidency. According to the White House Blog, over 11,000 public-service events took place across the country on that day of service before President Obama's inauguration.
Additional Resources
Nominee previews administration's education priorities
President Barack Obama's nominee for Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, was confirmed by voice vote on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009. Duncan enters the post having received broad support in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on January 13. Duncan's testimony detailed the administration's extensive education agenda, including a promise on funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and a focus on engaging families in the education of their children, citing his experience in Chicago.
Duncan draws bipartisan praise
During the committee hearing, Democrats and Republicans praised Duncan's record as schools chief in Chicago, where, since 2001, he stressed collaboration between competing groups to create compromise that improved schools and student achievement. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), a leader on education issues and Secretary of Education under President George H.W. Bush, expressed his enthusiasm for the nominee, saying, "President-elect Obama has made several distinguished cabinet appointments, but in my view of it all, you're the best."
Among other education priorities, Duncan said the administration will work to increase funding for special education, alter assessments to meet the needs of special education students and English-language learners under No Child Left Behind, make progress toward ensuring universal prekindergarten, and promote more innovation to accelerate student learning. He also promised to help increase funding for IDEA and move it toward the federal government's thus far unmet commitment to providing 40 percent of IDEA's funding.
Speaking of the importance of parent involvement, Duncan said, "We worked hard to involve parents more deeply in the education of their children, recognizing that schools and teachers are no substitute for a mom or dad who reads to their kids and makes sure the day's homework is done."
Additional Resources
Appointees relate positions to children's health and well-being
Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack will oversee our nation's nutrition programs as the new Secretary of Agriculture, former Senator Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Eric Holder is our nation's new Attorney General.
Cabinet appointees face Senate committees, speak about the welfare of children
In Vilsack's confirmation hearing, Committee Chairman Tom Harkin was focused on the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act: "If we make sure that foods and beverages kids consume in schools are more nutritious, healthier, and properly balanced, we will prevent diseases and medical conditions that impair and cut short lives—and cost a lot of money to treat. We will need the leadership and help of the Secretary of Agriculture and USDA in writing this legislation." Vilsack made clear he believed in the need for better child nutrition in schools, as well as the need to allow access to those facing hunger.
Prior to his February 3rd withdrawal from consideration due to problems over back taxes, Daschle addressed current child health challenges during his confirmation hearing by saying: "So much of it has to do with nutrition... it's got to be nutrition. We aren't going to address obesity and prevention and wellness unless we make better school lunches and unless we take the junk food out of schools and unless we put physical exercise back into the school curriculum. Those kinds of things could go a long way to helping us create this wellness paradigm we need so badly." A replacement nominee has yet to be named.
Holder stated in his hearing that restoring juvenile justice programs was "one of my top priorities." As Deputy Attorney General under Janet Reno, Holder showed a commitment to both prevention and aftercare in the juvenile justice system. Holder has also been a long-time member of Concerned Black Men, an organization that mentors troubled youth in Washington DC.
The 2008 congressional elections resulted in many changes on congressional committees that are key to PTA's advocacy on behalf of children. Committee assignments are still being handed out by leadership in both chambers, and some elections are still in contention; so further changes may occur.
Congressional committee assignments
In the House Appropriations Committee (with 37 Democrats and 23 Republicans):
- Rep. David Obey (D-WI) remains chairman of the influential House Appropriations Committee
- Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) replaces Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) as ranking member, or senior Republican; according to Education Daily, Tiahrt is an ardent supporter of local control of schools, parental involvement in education, and providing 40 percent of funding for IDEA
- Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) joins
- Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) joins
- Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN) joins
- Rep. John Salazar (D-CO) joins
- Rep. James Walsh (R-NY) retired
- Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH) retired
In the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-Education) Appropriations Subcommittee:
- Rep. David Obey (D-WI) will also continue to chair
- Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) will become the new top Republican
- Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-LA) joins
- Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL) joins
- Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) joins
- Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) is the only returning Republican thus far
- Rep. James Moran (D-VA) joins, replacing former Congressman and now Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
In the House Education and Labor Committee (expected to have 31 Democrats and 18 Republicans):
- Rep. George Miller (D-CA) remains chairman
- Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA) remains ranking member
- Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) joins
- Rep. Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress
- Rep. Jerry Polis (D-CO) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress; according to Education Daily, Rep. Polis served as a member of the Colorado State Board of Education and chairman of the board; during his campaign, he rejected the current use of a single formula for accountability under No Child Left Behind; he also espoused his support for increased transparency, providing direct resources to high-needs children, and fostering more innovation
- Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress
- Rep. Gregorio Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress
- Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress and is an educator
- Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress
- Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress
- Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress after serving in the Kentucky State Senate and working heavily on higher education and workforce development issues
- Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress
- Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) joins as a newly-elected member of Congress
- Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) leaves
- Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX) leaves
The following Democrats are again chairs of their respective subcommittees:
- Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI)—Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
- Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ)—Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions
- Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX)—Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness
- Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)—Healthy Families and Communities
The most notable change for the top Republicans on the subcommittees is the naming of newly-elected Rep. Guthrie as the ranking Republican on the Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness Subcommittee.
In the Senate Appropriations Committee (currently with 17 Democrats and 13 Republicans):
- Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) has replaced Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) as chairman
- Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) remains the senior or ranking Republican
- Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) remains chairman of the Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) remains the ranking member of the Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) joins
- Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) joins
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) joins
- Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) joins
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joins
- Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) leaves after losing re-election bid
- Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) retired
- Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) retired
- Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) retired
In the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee (expected to have 13 Democrats and 10 Republicans):
- Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) remains the chairman, despite battling brain cancer
- Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY) remains the senior Republican
- Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) joins
- Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC) joins as a newly-elected senator
- Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) joins as a newly-elected senator
- Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) joins, possibly to champion vouchers, or due to an interest in health reform
- Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) retired
- Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) leaves, having been elected President
- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) leaves, having been appointed secretary of state
Another Democrat may be assigned to the committee in the near future, such as newly-elected Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) or Mark Begich (D-AK), both of whom have shown significant interest in education.
In the Senate Judiciary Committee (currently with 11 Democrats and 8 Republicans):
- Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) remains chairman
- Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) remains the senior Republican
- Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) joins
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) joins
- Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE) joins, after replacing Vice President Biden in the Senate
- Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) leaves
- Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) leaves
In the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (expected to have 12 Democrats and 9 Republicans):
- Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) remains the chairman
- Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) remains the senior Republican
- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joins as a newly-appointed senator
- Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) joins as a newly-appointed senator
- Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) joins as a newly-elected senator
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) leaves
- Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) leaves
- Sen. Ken Salazar leaves, having been appointed secretary of the interior
- Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) is still contesting the results of the election of Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and is not expected to remain on the committee
There is still one Republican committee member yet to be designated by the minority leader.
Additional Resources
On Wednesday, February 4, President Obama signed a four and a half year extension of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) into law.
SCHIP Extension signed into law
On January 14, the House passed legislation to expand SCHIP benefits to approximately four million more children of working families by a vote of 289-139. SCHIP is primarily intended to reach uninsured children that can not afford health care coverage, but are not eligible for Medicaid. This bill is similar to two efforts passed by the 110th Congress which were both vetoed by President Bush. On January 29, the Senate passed a version of SCHIP reauthorization that is very closely aligned with the House version by a vote of 66-32. Both bills cost over $32 billion over the next four and a half years; this expansion of the program is paid for through an increase in the tobacco tax. The Senate bill was accepted by the House before being sent to President Obama to be signed into law on February 4.
Take Action
The House passed an $819 billion economic stimulus package on Monday, January 28, which included $275 billion in tax relief measures and $544 billion in spending on infrastructure, healthcare, education and energy investments. The Senate began debate on their version of this legislation on Monday, February 2.
Call your Senators or e-mail them today to let them know you want education and health to remain top priorities in the economic stimulus package!
Economic stimulus package passes in House, Senate not far behind
The House economic proposal (H.R. 1—American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) provides over $140 billion for education spending, including
- $13 billion in Title I State grants
- $13.6 billion in funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- $14 billion in K-12 school modernization and repair funding
- $1.4 billion in Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) funding
- $9.9 billion in school construction bonds
- $1 billion for education technology and teacher technology training initiatives
- $2 billion for childcare services under the Child Care Development Block Grant
- $2.1 billion for Head Start
- $15.6 billion to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $500 (to $5,350)
There will likely be a conference between the two houses of Congress to iron out the differences should a Senate version be voted through. Both House and Senate leaders have set a goal of sending one final version of the bill to the President by mid-February.
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