April 29, 2005
Dear Colleague:
As many of you know, the House and Senate Republican Budget Resolution agreed upon today includes a roughly $35 billion, five-year package of deficit reduction measures. Out of the $35 billion, the Education and the Workforce Committee overall would be required to trim about $13 billion from programs within its jurisdiction, which also assumes savings from reduced subsidies to student loan providers. Please note, the Kennedy amendment to restore and increase funding for the TRIO and Gear Up programs was not included in the negotiated package. This does not mean, however, that the fight is over.
In the agreed package, there is sufficient money to fully fund and moderately increase the appropriation for the TRIO programs. It will be, however, a tremendous fight. It is important that we continue to educate and lobby our Members of Congress and Senators on these important programs. This is especially important if your Member/Senator serves on the House or Senate Appropriations Committee. It is up to the Appropriators to restore TRIO funding and provide any increase. We have come a long way in the past few months, and it is important that we continue to communicate to Members and Congressional staff how vital these programs are to thousands of students and families across the country.
In addition, please note the following links, which list those Senators and House Members who have agreed to sign onto the Congressional letters supporting the TRIO programs -
http://www.trioprograms.org/congressignatures05/Senators_who_have_signed_4_25.doc
http://www.trioprograms.org/congressignatures05/Representatives_who_have_signed_4_25.doc
If your Member has not signed on and has not provided a reason why, please work with others in your community to get his or her support! Every signature is important.
Please make sure that as many TRIO students, parents, directors, and others involved with the programs continue to reach out to your Congressional offices and stress the importance of TRIO to not only your school, but to the community as well.
We can win this! Keep up the good fight!
Heather Valentine
Vice President, Public Policy,
Council for Opportunity in Education
1025 Vermont Avenue, NW Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 347-7430
Fax: (202) 347-0786