Pelosi: I Do Not ‘Place Too Much Weight’ on What Republicans Say

Congressional Republicans are raising questions about a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that estimates only $6 billion President Joe Biden‘s proposed $180 billion to help reopen K-12 schools would be spent in 2021 and the remaining amount would be spent through 2028.

During a weekly press conference on Thursday, Pelosi was asked, “How do you square that with the need to open schools with the funding when so much of it is down the road?”

“I don’t place too much weight on what the Republicans say, even though it seems to be of value to you to use as a question,” Pelosi responded.

She continued, “The fact is, is that this the money that is needed… The $130 billion in K-12 will help provide immediate relief to schools so they can safely reopen for in-person instruction and address the difficult multi-year challenges making up lost time in the classroom.”

Pelosi described the “learning loss” caused by school closures as “heartbreaking for children.”

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The California Democrat also noted that schools are “largely funded” by state and local governments and argued that another reason is why Congress should pass a relief bill that gives aid to state and local governments.

Biden’s bill contains