A May 31 Fort Collins Coloradoan article about U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's (R-CO) visit to a Head Start center in Fort Collins reported that “Musgrave floated two amendments to the Head Start reauthorization” measure but that both “were killed by Democrats without debate.” However, the article did not offer comments about the legislation from any Democrats or an explanation of why Musgrave's amendments to House Resolution 1429 “were killed.”

As the Coloradoan article by Jason Kosena noted, Head Start is “a federal program funding early childhood development for low-income students”:

But who exactly gets a head start -- and the role of private agencies in providing it -- are points of disagreement between Musgrave and Democrats.

Earlier this month, Musgrave floated two amendments to the Head Start reauthorization: one that would have kept the program's enrollment mainly to students at or below the federal poverty line and another encouraging more for-profit facilities to participate in the program.

Both amendments were killed by Democrats without debate.

The Coloradoan also referenced “written statements released [by Musgrave] earlier this month” describing Musgrave's opinion that “for-profit facilities ... are well equipped to provide higher quality care for children”:

Musgrave's second amendment would have allowed for-profit facilities “to be at the table when discussing the Head Start,” she said, adding she “absolutely believes public facilities like Fullana are doing a great job.”

But in written statements released earlier this month, Musgrave said, “It's imperative that we ensure the best possible providers are participating in the (Head Start) program. This could be done by encouraging more for-profit facilities to participate since they are well equipped to provide higher quality care for children.”

Presumably, the Coloradoan was referring to a May 4 Musgrave press release that was highly critical of congressional Democrats. According to the press release:

Though Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave is committed to finding bi-partisan solutions this session of Congress, Democrat leaders proved this week they are unwilling to reach across the political aisle when they prohibited debate from occurring on two Musgrave amendments to improve the Head Start early childhood education program.

[...]

“It's disappointing the Democratic leadership denied these common sense amendments a fair debate before Congress,” said Musgrave. “I have demonstrated this session my efforts to work in a bi-partisan fashion because that is what people expect of Congress right now, but this needs to happen on both sides.”

“My goal is to ensure that Head Start is run effectively and is serving low-income children just as it was created to do. It's imperative that we ensure the best possible providers are participating in the program. This could be done by encouraging more for-profit facilities to participate since they are well equipped to provide higher quality care for children,” continued Musgrave. “Also, it's especially shocking that Democrats do not want to ensure Head Start enrollment predominantly serves low-income children, which is who the program was intended to serve. It is appropriate that the program limit to 10 percent the number of students who do not come from low-income families because poorer children could otherwise be excluded.”

However, the Coloradoan provided no “written statements” or comments from any Democratic members of Congress regarding the Head Start reauthorization or addressing Musgrave's assertions about her amendments. A review of the Congressional Record by Colorado Media Matters did not find Musgrave's specific proposals. However, the House Committee on Education and Labor in marking up H.R. 1429 noted without further detail that it rejected four amendments to the bill by a roll call vote.