President wants swift action on education spending

<br>WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Clinton demanded Saturday that lawmakers focus on unresolved education spending when lawmakers return for a lame-duck session next week. Congress should ``get right back

Saturday, December 2nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Clinton demanded Saturday that lawmakers focus on unresolved education spending when lawmakers return for a lame-duck session next week. Congress should ``get right back to business and make vital investments in our children and their education,'' he said.

``The first order of business'' should be passing the $40 billion education budget, Clinton said in his weekly radio address.

The president, in a live broadcast from the Oval Office before an invited audience of educators and supporters, said there is enough common ground for a bipartisan agreement.

Clinton said vital investments are needed by the federal government to replace and repair crumbling schools, reduce class size, turn around failing schools, expand the Head Start program for preschoolers.

Also in the bill is money for after-school programs to keep children off the streets, teacher training, tutoring and counseling to help prepare low-income students for college, and increases in Pell Grant college scholarships for needy students.

A Department of Education report he released showed that large states such as California, New York and Illinois would lose millions of dollars unless the education budget is quickly passed.

Clinton complained that Congress decided to recess to permit members to campaign for re-election before finishing the education budget.

``The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on the values that unite us _ our children and their education,'' Clinton said. ``Let us join together two parties and one country to give our children the school, the teachers and the futures they deserve.''

``We can ensure that we continue to expand the circle of opportunity until it embraces Americans from every corner of our country and walk of life,'' the president said.

On Capitol Hill, Democrats are battling for specific funds to hire new teachers and repair crumbling schools. Republicans are seeking to give states the option of spending that money on other programs such as special education and reading lessons.

Bipartisan bargainers agreed last month to a record $7.9 billion increase in education spending _ 20 percent above last year _ that was later rejected by House GOP leaders. After touting his interest in education during his campaign, Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush could be reluctant to cut that spending in one of his first White House acts.

``Both Vice President Gore and Governor Bush campaigned on strong pro-education agendas,'' Education Secretary Richard Riley told reporters Friday, building pressure on Republicans. ``So it makes no sense to put aside a budget agreement that keeps American education moving forward.''