Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Labor, Health & Human Services and Education Appropriations bill before us. This bill fails to address the priorities of the American people.

This bill shortchanges critical health care programs, offers the smallest increase to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 36 years, and fails to fulfill promises this Congress made to disadvantaged children. With 45 million uninsured Americans, we cannot afford to eliminate programs targeted at meeting the needs of the uninsured or remove the support systems that exist for those doctors and nurses who are serving in areas where there is a shortage of professional health services.

Furthermore, in a time when scientists are just beginning to make meaningful progress on the projects they began between 1998 and 2003, it is irresponsible to fund NIH at a level 2.6 percent short of what they need to keep up with inflation in research costs. Under this legislation, NIH will be able to support about 505 fewer research grants than just two years earlier.

Finally, with a record 55 million children in public schools and state budgets stretched thin, this bill proposes to cut No Child Left Behind funding by $806 million, leaving 3.1 million low-income children behind. This brings the total NCLB funding shortfall to $40 billion, since its enactment in 2002.

The Appropriations Committee did take care to address some critical issues, such as restoring funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program and the Assistive Technology Act, and I appreciate the support for these important programs. Unfortunately, the budget resolution for FY2006 prevented appropriators from being able to put forth a bill that truly reflected the needs of the American people. When Congress passed H. Con. Res. 95, the Budget Conference Report, the Republican leadership set the stage for these devastating cuts. This legislation makes it clear that tax cuts for the wealthy will continue to be paid for by slashing programs that Rhode Islanders depend on.

I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 3010. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.