Republican Congressional leaders have expressed their opposition to the bill which includes 26 Republican co-sponsors because they claim it would raise the costs of school construction by following Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage standards.  However, the superintendents had addressed this argument:  "We do not believe that the applicability of Davis-Bacon to this program would increase our construction costs or compromise the scope of any contemplated school facility projects.  We sincerely hope that concerns raised over Davis-Bacon will not outweigh the overwhelming national need to provide the critical investment resources needed to improve America´s public school facilities and provide our students with better-equipped classrooms that accommodate safer and smaller class rooms that enhance learning."
      
"It is a real challenge for Republican leaders to find a reason to oppose a bipartisan bill, sponsored by a clear majority of the House, that would help renovate thousands of schools," Rep, Rangel said.  "The Davis-Bacon provision seems to be the only excuse the Republican leaders can find and that´s a red herring.  As the superintendents´ letter points out, our strong economy combined with state and local prevailing wage laws means that there will not be an increase in construction costs."

"Even while local school officials plead for help from Republican leaders, they sit here in Washington determined to do nothing at all to help schools rather than allow any compromise," Rangel continued.