June 28, 2007
Appropriations Bill Needs Massive Support to Discourage Veto
Background
Thanks to intensive advocacy by social workers and other grassroots advocates, the House Committee on Appropriations is advancing a substantially better 2008 appropriations bill for the Depts. of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education than advocates have secured in recent years. Unfortunately, the White House has already attacked the bill and threatened a veto. The Committee proposes to increase spending in areas of importance to social workers such as mental health services, health professions training, and child care. In addition to adding or restoring funds to human needs programs that were reduced in recent years, the bill cuts over a billion dollars from programs the Administration had “earmarked,” intending to steer billions of dollars to favored individuals and companies.
Appropriation bills require compromises on each side, and the bill will emerge from committee with strong bipartisan support. President Bush has claimed the bill is excessive, but the proposed bill is not over spending, however, it does contain money for priorities that are not his own. To overcome the threatened Presidential veto, it is important to begin now building grassroots support for passage.
Action Needed
The bill is expected to reach the House floor on July 17th. To override a potential Presidential veto, the House must demonstrate a large bipartisan majority in favor of this bill. Representatives are home for a brief recess until July 8th, please contact your Member of the House of Representatives and ask them to:
- Support the House Labor/HHS Appropriations bill.
- Reject the Administration’s distorted claims of overspending.
You may send a sample letter to your Representative through NASW’s Congress Web at: Congress Web Letter. |
