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House Republican leadership suffers stunning defeat; Thanks to all members who made calls asking Regula to reconsider deep ES cuts

More than 4,000 state employment service jobs saved nationwide

Nov. 21 , 2005 - The House of Representatives unexpectedly voted down the Labor-Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education spending bill (H.R. 3010) by a vote of 209-224, handing the leadership of the House a rare and dramatic defeat.

• A total of 22 Republicans voted against the legislation which provides funding for most major domestic programs.

• A mixture of moderate Republicans concerned about underfunding of social programs and rural Republicans dissatisfied with the lack of funds for rural health programs joined a number of other Republicans in voting against the bill.

• All Democrats voted against it as well.

Overall, these programs were cut $1.5 billion below the current funding.

• An unprecedented reduction of $230 million was proposed for the employment security program, which would have led to the layoff of up to 4,000 state workers.

• Restoration of funds promised to injured Ground Zero workers and volunteers was dropped.

• Funding for No Child Left Behind was cut by $784 million while other elementary and secondary education programs received the smallest increase in eight years.

• In addition, funding for essential health care programs was cut, while some programs were eliminated.

• Low Income Energy Assistance was not increased despite expectations of skyrocketing heating bills this winter.

• The legislation also prohibits OSHA from enforcing part of its respirator standard to protect health care workers from exposure to tuberculosis.

See Related

Take Action Now - Join the online march against the latest budget cuts that will hurt our most vulnerable and the large tax breaks for the wealthy

Download Now - AFSCME White Paper on the budget cuts released by the Emergency Campaign for America's Priorities

Spending cut bill approved by House, moves to senate for reconciliation; Thank Rep. Ney for "no" vote