U.S. Schools Prepare for Shutdowns, While Billions Fly Overseas
Vulnerable U.S. schools, The Hill reports, are scrambling to prepare for budget freezes and potential shutdowns, citing concerns about federal funding. This domestic 'belt-tightening' comes just as the House, including Rep. Mike McCaul—who received $20,300 from AIPAC in 2022 and voted for HR 815 providing $14.1 billion to Israel—easily passed another massive foreign aid package on April 20, 2024.
Apparently, 'vulnerable' is a relative term; it certainly doesn't apply to the defense industry or America's most enthusiastic allies. While schools cut staff and programs, Congress finds billions for military endeavors abroad. In fact, OpenSecrets.org records show AIPAC itself spent over $11 million in 2022 on lobbying efforts that consistently push for increased aid to Israel. One might wonder
if the children in those 'vulnerable schools' will learn about this particularly American brand of fiscal responsibility: where classrooms lack resources, but the military-industrial complex never misses a meal.