Mark Dayton: “this amendment is a unique concept. It says the Senate will fulfill a 29-year-old commitment to fund 40 percent of the…”

“this amendment is a unique concept. It says the Senate will fulfill a 29-year-old commitment to fund 40 percent of the costs of special education. I appreciate the amendment of the Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Chafee, which was adopted by the Senate to bring us to 20 percent, which is half of that goal. That is an improvement. But if we were to say the Defense Department was half funded, or national security or homeland security were half funded, we would find a reason to immediately increase that funding. So I respectfully submit that closing tax loopholes for corporations that are not paying taxes now and providing that money for special education for our students across this country is a worthy goal. I urge adoption of the amendment. I will accept a voice vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. DeMint). The Senator from New Hampshire.”