By Rachel Christiansen
House Democrats, led by Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) voiced strong opposition to proposed cuts in the Republican’s new spending plan that Democrats claim could slash the education sector by 30 percent.
Andrews stressed the important link between education and a strong economy, noting that “an uneducated workforce in a non competitive workforce” during a press conference Friday.
Standing at Rep. Andrews side was Wisconsin teacher Shelly Moore, who due to current budget cuts, has been terminated after 13 years of teaching in her district.
Moore said that in her school district alone, over 24 teaching jobs will be removed, leaving a school of over 550 students with only three english teachers.
“The real question is what costs more: paying to educate our children or not.” Moore said.
Andrews added that the “reckless” and “irresponsible” cuts Republicans are proposing will send American jobs to “China, India and overseas because they will outcompete us.”
Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) appeard with Andrews.