ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) U.S. Sen. Tom Udall is proposing legislation that aims to protect health and physical education classes from budget cuts. The New Mexico Democrat says his bill would classify health and PE as ``core'' subjects, like art and geography, under federal law. That would make them eligible for federal education funding and support.

With increased childhood obesity rates and diabetes, Udall says, the need for this bill is greater than ever. He says physically active students who eat nutritiously live healthier lives, have better attendance, study harder and show higher achievement rates.

Udall says his bill, first introduced in the last Congress, is backed by more than 75 health organizations.