Charlie Bass on Education

· Education

campaign reform · education · environment · health care · seniors · tax relief

Education is arguably the most important issue for children and their parents. I believe education decisions are best made at the state and local levels, and I have worked hard to empower states, localities, and families to educate New Hampshire's -- and America's -- children.

My top legislative priority during my tenure in Congress has been to provide for full federal funding of special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Currently, the federal government pays the states only about 12% of its share of this important program, falling far short of the 40% it promised to cover when the law was enacted in 1975. With the states and local communities left to cover the shortfall, they have fewer resources to develop other educational programs. I have cosponsored several bills to encourage the President to fully fund the special education mandate, and I have introduced a bill that would require outright that the federal government fulfill its financial obligation under IDEA. This is the type of fundamental reform that is needed if we are to fulfill our obligation to educate our children.

This page highlights some of my involvement in education reform. To learn more about the bills mentioned, you can search Thomas from the legislation page. This issue page was updated on September 14.

2000 press releases · 1999 press releases · legislation introduced · legislation cosponsored

Press Releases from 2000

Bass Introduces Bill to Mandate Full Federal Funding for Special Ed · September 14
Bass Unveils Bill to Mandate Full Federal Funding for Special Ed · August 28
Bass Presents Refurbished Computers to Claremont School · June 2
Bass Announces Education Grant for Nashua Learning Center · May 19
Bass Announces Winners of Annual Congressional Art Competition · May 12
Bass Cosponsors Bill to Put More Computers in Schools · May 4
Bass Celebrates House Passage of Bill to Fully Fund Special Ed · May 3
Bass Says House Budget Provides for Significant Increase in Funding for Special Education · March 15
Bass is Seeking Congressional Page Applications · February 3

Press Releases from 1999

Bass Votes to Improve Education · October 22

Bass to Introduce NH Librarians to Resources at Library of Congress · July 16

Bass Urges Colleagues to Support Resolution to Fully Fund Special Education · May 4

Bass Condemns Clinton Budget for Failing to Deliver Adequate Special Education Funding · February 4

Bass Anxious to Address Social Security, Tax Cuts, Education, and Defense · January 19

Legislation Introduced

H.R.5180 : To amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide full funding for assistance for education of all children with disabilities.

Selected Legislation Cosponsored

H.CON.RES.84 : Urging the Congress and the President to fully fund the Federal Government's obligation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
H.RES.303 : Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives urging that 95 percent of Federal education dollars be spent in the classroom.
H.R.1494 : To provide dollars to the classroom.
H.R.1746 : To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to reduce telephone rates, provide advanced telecommunications services to schools, libraries, and certain health care facilities, and for other purposes.
H.R.2308 : To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the deduction for computer donations to schools and public libraries and to allow a tax credit for donated computers.
H.R.3614 : To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to ensure an adequate level of commodity purchases under the school lunch program.
H.R.4055 : To authorize appropriations for part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to achieve full funding for part B of that Act by 2010.

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