The undersigned education, training, disability, public health, medical research, women’s, children’s, civil rights, anti-poverty, faith and labor organizations (PDF) representing the full range of stakeholders in the programs of the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and Labor urge you to ensure that the final FY 2011 302(b) allocation for the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee reflects at least a $21 billion increase above the FY 2010 enacted level for these critically important programs.

This amount would maintain and expand service levels and restore purchasing power by: (1) responding to increased demand for these programs in the wake of the recession; (2) restoring programmatic cuts and more appropriately accounting for inflation and population growth; (3) stemming deep state cuts to many of these functions; (4) paying for a shortfall in the Pell Grant program; and (5) making permanent the capacity generated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for select programs within these Departments, increasing momentum for economic recovery and prosperity.

The programs and services administered by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor serve a broad range of constituencies and needs. However, they all share a common, fundamental goal of strengthening this nation by investing in and improving the quality of life of its people, especially the most vulnerable. Unfortunately, the resources needed to support all individuals and families have been cut, eroded by inflation, or stretched thin by swelling numbers of those in need. While Congress has worked to restore some of these cuts, many programs still remain far below their FY 2005 level, and others lost all funding. Many of these programs also face deep cuts due to the continuing large state budget gaps.

The President’s FY 2011 budget request is a positive step forward which invests in and restores some important programs in the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations bill. Nevertheless, we hope Congress will seize the opportunity to further strengthen America’s global scientific, education and economic leadership, national security, and citizens’ health and well-being by increasing these investments and making capacity created by ARRA permanent.

The 389 organizations listed below represent a wide array of domestic priorities, but we are united in our effort to increase discretionary funding for health, education, labor enforcement, job training, children’s and social services programs by at least $21 billion—a funding increase that is consistent with our previous requests and essential to sustaining the prosperity and standards of living of our nation.