News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

June 18, 2001

HARMAN PUSHES TO FUND REPAIR AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WASHINGTON DC — Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Redondo Beach) has joined other House Democrats in an effort to force floor debate of a bill that would assist local school districts in repairing and constructing school buildings and classrooms. The bipartisan Johnson-Rangel school modernization bill (H.R. 1076, America’s Better Classroom Act) is bottled up in a congressional committee and Harman and others have initiated a process to force the bill to the House floor.

"It’s critical that the federal government aid local school districts in building and repairing our public schools," stated Harman. "The America’s Better Classroom Act will reduce overcrowding and help ensure that students attend school in safe and modern structures."

The bill provides funding for tax credits that states can use to pay the interest on $25 billion in school bonds. Harman pointed out that Los Angeles Unified School District would receive $325 million to help finance structural repairs such as fixing leaky roofs, modernizing classrooms and repairing faulty heating and cooling systems. The bill also provides for the construction of additional schools and classrooms.

House Democrats are using what is called a "discharge petition" to bring the bill to the House floor for debate and subsequent vote. Under normal circumstances, a bill is debated and approved by a committee and then discussed on the floor of the House. When a bill is stuck in committee, a discharge petition can be used to force the House to consider the bill if at least 218 sign it.

Currently, 198 House Democrats have signed the petition. So far, no Republicans have signed on, although 21 Republican Members originally co-sponsored the Johnson-Rangel bill.

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Daily Breeze article on the above issue: Harman supports effort for modernization