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Garamendi’s Make It In America Charter School Amendment Denied Up or Down Vote by House Republicans

September 8, 2011

Amendment Would Have Given Preference to Charter Schools that
Source American-Made Equipment for Construction and Renovations

CharterSchoolAmendment.JPG

On the House Floor, Rep. Garamendi explains
how his legislation would create American jobs
now. In a later exchange, House Republicans
are unable to offer an explanation for why the
amendment was not allowed an up or down vote.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a former University of California Regent and California State University Trustee, expressed dismay that House Republicans have denied an up or down vote on Garamendi’s Make It In America amendment to H.R. 2218, the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act. During floor discussion, there was deafening silence when Republican Members of Congress were asked to explain why the amendment was not allowed an up or down vote.

Garamendi’s amendment would have amended Section 6 of the bill to give the Secretary of Education the authority to prioritize financing to eligible entities that use American-made materials for construction and renovation. The charter school amendment authorizes $300 million in annual spending for constructing and retrofitting charter schools, and as written, none of this allocation is required to purchase American-made equipment.

"Americans need jobs. Yet, the Republican majority, which has been in control of the House for 247 days, has not brought one job-creating bill to this floor. My amendment would create jobs by giving the Secretary of Education the authority to prioritize charter school investments that Make It In America," said Rep. Garamendi. "We must educate our youth to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges, and there is a role for charter schools in achieving this goal. However, without my amendment, this charter school bill fails to notice that millions of Americans are right now out of work through no fault of their own."

Garamendi’s revenue neutral amendment was ruled "not in order" by the Republican-controlled House Rules Committee. As an alternative path to floor consideration, Garamendi proposed a “motion on the previous question”, a procedural vote that would have allowed for reconsideration of Garamendi’s amendment. It was voted down by a 226-176 vote, with 224 Republicans voting against reconsideration and 176 Democrats voting for reconsideration.

"Suzie and Bobby deserve the best education possible, but their potential is diminished when jobs that would go to mommy and daddy are shipped to other countries instead," Garamendi added. "This is the American taxpayers’ money. Let’s use it to improve education AND create jobs for our fellow Americans."