Louisiana is not asking, Mr. Chairman, for lower standards, we are asking for using common sense.

I did not say it went to wealthy families. I do not have a problem helping wealthy families. My problem is when resources are limited we should help the poor families first, the middle-income families second, and the wealthy families…

one of the roles of the Federal Government is to try to close the opportunity gap between the affluent districts in this Nation and the disadvantaged districts

In my view one of the roles of the Federal Government is to try to close that gap and help those children that come from less affluent neighborhoods to actually have equal opportunity to succeed.

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.

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

Does not the President's larger objective for the Middle East, and for our relations with the Muslim world and for the war on terrorism require us to have a long-term commitment to reconstruction in Iraq?

What kind of precedent does this set? Why should a parliament that voted to obstruct vital U.S. war plans still receive aid?

Are we going to work through the United Nations to get those commitments?

Your term of putting it on a path concerned me. It sounded like we are going to put it on a path, and walk away.

I think it is the height of hypocrisy for him to open his budget with the quote 'The time for excuse-making has come to an end.'

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.

I think that is absolutely what we should be doing.

It seems extremely unwise to escalate our involvement in other conflicts at this time.

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.

the District is, unfortunately, the No. 1 target in the United States for terrorism.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can sense your frustration. And I share some of that.