Political Quotes

“However, this Member believes there is a very fundamental issue that must be discussed during this debate. Unfortunately, under this legislation the Federal Government would be moved dramatically into areas where it does not belong. For example, the teacher certification requirements added to the bill during committee markup unfortunately break new ground in Federal involvement in education. Additionally, the mandatory opportunity-to-learn standards constitute yet another constitutionally inappropriate and unfunded Federal mandate on States and local school districts. Any regulation of home schooling is also outside the constitutional responsibility of the Federal Government. If Congress enacts this legislation in its current form it would be unsurping the role that the U.S. Constitution clearly gives to the States. Mr. Chairman, I want to remind my colleagues that under the determination set out by article X of the U.S. Constitution, the responsibility to provide and regulate education is left to the States; there is no primary Federal role in public education specified by the U.S. Constitution, in spite of the views of activists inside and outside of Congress.”