Mitch Landrieu: “this shows clearly that every State in the Union will benefit. The poor children in every State will benefit…”

“this shows clearly that every State in the Union will benefit. The poor children in every State will benefit significantly by this amendment. I will read specifically into the Record the poorest States that will greatly benefit, and those States are: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Texas, and West Virginia. Just to read out a few pretty startling numbers, let's take California. This amendment, without adding one penny to the budget, will give California $80 million more because they have in certain areas a concentration of very poor children who need additional help. Louisiana will get an $18 million increase. Without this amendment, Senator Breaux and I will basically go home empty-handed to a State where a headline in one of our major newspapers this week was: Louisiana's Children Suffer. The Kids Count Data Book just came out. It clearly demonstrates which States need the help and which States could use the help. I don't believe in just throwing around new money. I am arguing for flexibility and accountability. But I am also arguing that we have an obligation to target our Federal resources better than we do. I am hoping my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will see the wisdom in this amendment.”