Heidi Alexander: “I wish to join in. One, as the Senator from Maryland said, I recognize he has been out front in trying to get value for…”

“I wish to join in. One, as the Senator from Maryland said, I recognize he has been out front in trying to get value for the taxpayers' dollar; and, second, he is working in a cooperative way to help us get a result. Those are two great characteristics in a body of 100 people which operates by unanimous consent. So I am grateful for that. On the first point, I completely agree with him on the early childhood money. We have about $18 billion from various streams of Federal dollars aimed at children below 5 or 6; then we have State dollars; then we have local dollars; then we have private dollars. We have grappled with ways to try to make sure we spend that money more effectively. One way is to emphasize centers of excellence, like Oklahoma City, Nashville, or Jersey City, where they try to put all that money together. But I am committed to work with Senator Harkin and Senator Mikulski to take the research which Senator Coburn has done and see if we can consolidate, streamline, and get more value for early childhood. Second, he has called attention to a problem which I would appreciate his help in solving with his ``Millionaires' Amendment,'' which I think we will be voting on in a little while. Let me give an example, if I may. The application form students fill out for Federal grants and loans to attend college is ridiculous. If I had it in my hand and held it up here, it would go from up here all the way to the floor. It is 100 questions.…”