Federal Budget Cuts to Education Could Affect Texas

At the federal level, our government faces budget cuts similar to the ones Texas does. They too have a choice. They can cut education or protect it.

President Obama said this week that any budget that sacrifices a commitment to education is a budget that sacrifices our future:

"And I will not let it happen."

Here's why he's taking a stand:



The cuts in the House Republican budget to education would be devastating for teachers, students, and families -- costing 55,000 jobs, slashing financial aid for 8 million college kids, and dropping hundreds of thousands from Head Start, an early-education program proven to help low-income children graduate high school.

This week, the House passed another short-term extension of the federal budget that will fund the government through early April -- between now and then, we need to find common ground.

Congress should be committed to commonsense spending cuts that allow us to live within our means without sacrificing key investments that will help us win the future.

House Republicans are proposing reckless cuts that would undo our progress on health reform, prevent the EPA from protecting our air and water, and hurt our economy and job creation.

The cuts are particularly bad for education, and when we're talking about investing in children and schools, we're talking about investing in our future.

If the House Republican budget cuts are adopted:

-- More than 16,000 classrooms would close;
-- 55,000 teachers would lose their jobs;
-- Nearly 200,000 pre-kindergarten children would lose access to Head Start; and
-- More than 8 million college students currently receiving tuition assistance would see their Pell Grants cut.

The budget the President signs must have bipartisan support, but he's made it clear it also must invest in -- not sacrifice -- education.

Anything less is irresponsible and not worthy of our children.