Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) today said the Bush Administration's budget proposal presents a reckless plan to expand tax cuts for the rich at the expense of the most vulnerable Americans—including 12.1 million children who live below the poverty line.

"It is shameful that the Bush Administration's budget plays 'Robin Hood in reverse' by taking money from programs that serve the most basic needs of children, while giving more money to the rich," said Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children's Defense Fund. "Permanent tax cuts for the wealthy should not come at the expense of our children - especially the ones with the greatest needs. For less than one-third the cost of making the tax cuts permanent we could provide health insurance to America's 9 million uninsured children, provide Head Start for every eligible child, and pay the salaries of 100,000 more teachers to reduce class size. Instead, this year's budget further cuts children's access to child care, affordable housing, and underfunds education for disadvantaged children."

CDF is troubled by the Bush Administration's limited investment in many specific services that are vital for giving every child an opportunity for success in life. The flat funding levels for the Child Care Development Block Grant would mean that at least 200,000 additional children will lose access to affordable child care - on top of the 100,000 children denied child care last year. While the President's education reform bill is ratcheting up accountability for schools, his budget underfunds Title I by $7.2 billion. In addition, its cuts in the Section 8 housing program could mean that as many as 150,000 families with children will be denied the vouchers that ensure affordable housing. To make matters worse, a proposal to drop federal housing assistance standards could deny affordable housing to still more families.

Making the Bush tax cuts permanent would give each individual millionaire an average of over $181,700 each year when fully implemented. That amount of money instead each year could provide:

• Health insurance for 74 uninsured children, or
• Youth jobs for 50 disadvantaged youth, or
• Child care assistance for 49 children of working parents, or
• Head Start for 22 three- and four-year olds, or
• Affordable housing for 22 low-income families

"We do not have a money problem in this country. We have a priorities problem," said Edelman. "The money lavished on one individual American could change the lives of dozens of children in need. The Bush Administration talks about leaving no child behind, while in reality the effects of its budget will push millions of poor children even farther behind. For the sake of children, we count on Congress to reject this ill-advised budget."

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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds.