April 15, 2005

As negotiations over the FY2006 budget resolution continue, it is important that COHEAO members call their Senators as soon as possible to ask them to support Senator Edward Kennedy’s (D-MA) amendment to add $5.4 billion in spending to higher education programs. While there is some support from Senate Republicans to include the funding, all Senators need to hear from their constituents about the issue.

In particular, it will be important for those in their states to contact the offices of the six Republican Senators who voted for the Kennedy Amendment. The six senators are: Collins (ME), Snowe (ME), DeWine (OH), Coleman (MN), Chaffee (RI), and Specter (PA). When calling these offices, COHEAO members should thank the Senators for the past support and ask them to tell the budget conferees that they insist on having the additional funding in the final budget resolution.

Each Senator’s contact information can be found at: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

If have any questions or can report on any feedback, please contact Harrison Wadsworth, hwadsworth@wpllc.net or Andrew Stringer, astringer@wpllc.net.

COHEAO will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

Andrew Stringer
Legislative Associate
Washington Partners, LLC
(P) 202-289-3903
(F) 202-371-0197
astringer@wpllc.net