I am going to do everything I can to oppose these two programs and instead try to support the public schools, as well as choice for parents, real choice that means something to them.

I think that is absolutely what we should be doing.

I must note that the unwillingness of the administration to submit this measure or discuss its plans in advance of submitting the bill makes it extremely challenging for the Congress to exercise its proper role under the Constitution.

I want to go on record as saying that the President's budget is wholly inadequate to support the commitment that he made personally to the schools in Louisiana and to the schools throughout our Nation.

Well, he reneged on this promise. He continues to make excuses and I think it is a shame.

The People of Louisiana did not send me to the Senate abrogate that power in favor of the President.

The time for excuses is over. The President and his administration should be the ones that stop making excuses and be a good example for everyone else.

He reneged, in my opinion, on his promise to fund the Leave No Child Behind Act.

I am committed to working with you, as I have in the past as the Chairman of this committee, to ensure that every child in the District has access to justice before the court, and families are strengthened, not made more fragile by the…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think this is a very important component to obtain this initial placement assessment by getting the general information from family and neighbors.

One of the issues, Mr. Chairman, is that they only have files for kids that have had a change in their placement.

I look forward to hearing from the city on the status of the District's economy, current Federal funding priorities, and a summary of the fiscal year 2004 local funds budget.

I urge my colleagues to examine the benefits of this proposal as legislation makes its way through Congress.

I'm going to have to have these numbers to do any of this work.

Thank you. First of all, let me thank both of you for stepping up to the positions that you have been asked to serve in with such enthusiasm.

I just want to commend you for being open, but I guess caution that we proceed very slowly because of some of the things that I outlined.

I think I will pass on the questions. I have gotten explanations for what I was concerned about.