April 28, 2005
URGENT ACTION NEEDED: CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY
COHEAO understands that House and Senate leadership have reached an agreement on a Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution. Overall discretionary spending will be $843 billion, and the resolution will include budget reconciliation instructions requiring the Senate and House education committees to make about $7 billion in cuts to student aid programs.
These reconciliation instructions not only put Perkins Loan Federal Capital Contribution and cancellation reimbursements in jeopardy, they endanger the entire program. At a time when a college education is more important than ever, these cuts to student aid programs make it more difficult for students to pay for their education. While the cuts may satisfy arbitrary goals in the short-term, they do significant long-term damage not only to our education system, but to our economy and international competitiveness as well.
COHEAO is expecting a final vote on the conference agreement in the near future – tonight or tomorrow. Given these numbers and ensuing policy implications, we urge COHEAO members to CALL their Senators TODAY and ask them to oppose the FY2006 Budget Resolution conference agreement. Six Republican senators supported the Kennedy amendment to increase funding for education that was included in the earlier, Senate version of the resolution. The final resolution apparently does NOT include this education funding. If you are in the states of one of those senators, your call is especially important. COHEAO believes the Senate is where we will have the greatest chance of convincing enough Senators to oppose the budget resolution. [The six Senators are: Lincoln Chaffee (RI) 202-224-2921, Susan Collins (ME) 202-224-2523, Olympia Snowe (ME) 202-224-5344, Mike DeWine (OH) 202-224-2315, Norm Coleman (MN) 202-224-5641 and Arlen Specter (PA) 202-224-4254.]
To find out who your Senators are and how to reach them, visit: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=state&Sort=ASC
If you have any questions or receive any feedback, contact Harrison Wadsworth at hwadsworth@wpllc.net or Andrew Stringer at astringer@wpllc.net.
Andrew Stringer
Legislative Associate
Washington Partners, LLC
(P) 202-289-3903
(F) 202-371-0197
astringer@wpllc.net
