The White House released the list of program cuts in response to congressional requests, sending it to lawmakers late on a Friday afternoon, when it would receive relatively little attention heading into the weekend.
Typical Administration manevouring.
The timing underscored the political calculations involved as Bush attempts to fulfill his vow to cut the federal deficit in half by 2009 while still paying for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and financing his ambitious proposal to restructure Social Security. While it may be politically advantageous to announce that 154 programs would be eliminated or reduced, it becomes far dicier on Capitol Hill once they are identified.
The White House claims these programs "don't work well". But basically, the White House just wants all money to go to funding federal counterterrorism efforts, and nothing else.
The NEA thinks this sucks.
Budget Should Reflect Americans' Values
"On Monday, parents, educators, and school employees will learn how the Administration plans to invest in America's public schools for the coming year. America's teachers and education employees agree with the President when he says that for America to succeed in the future, we must invest in children today."
So let's invest in them, instead of chopping 100,000 students out of their Pell Grant eligibility.
NEA Press Center
Thanks to twistedchick for the links.
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