Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor to denounce the Trump administration's efforts to gut Head Start programs, lowering the standards for early education programs and hurting America's most vulnerable children. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Donald Trump believes the federal government exists to serve him and no one else. Even though he acts like a toddler three quarters of the time, he's not eligible for Head Start. So if the program doesn't benefit him, what does he care?

Trump will soon announce plans to gut Head Start without any thought to how it will hurt hundreds of thousands of children.

After trying and failing to defund it all together, Trump is putting the program to the torch by rolling back federal standards that ensure Head Start be high quality. That means no math or literacy requirements, no health and safety screenings, no guarantee children can access medical and dental services.

Trump's changes will hurt America's most vulnerable children and leave their families in the lurch.

Donald Trump, the parents of some of these kids are working two or three jobs, knocking themselves out almost 24/7 just to help their kids by making ends meet. Does Trump really think these families can afford to spend more on finding care for their kids?

The gutting of Head Start is the Trump administration's disastrous approach to governing, laid bare.

Better outcomes for Trump, worse outcomes for our kids: that's Trump's America.

Donald Trump uses his office to help himself and his billionaire friends get ahead while holding back our children, while holding back our working families.

Every single Senator who cares about Head Start needs to stand up against this effort that undercuts our children, particularly the most vulnerable. Early education works. It gives kids a head start. It makes America more prosperous as a whole. Trump doesn't give a damn.

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