Political Quotes

“I urge a ``no'' vote. The amendment is unnecessary because the Federal Government already spends $22 billion on early childhood education through 45 programs. States spend money through the title I program on early childhood education. Our underlying bill has an important amendment on early childhood, fashioned by Senator Murray and Senator Isakson, to spend that money more effectively. This proposal has a familiar ring. It is like a Medicaid mandate, States would pay 40 percent. It is like a national school board, the Federal Government would define teacher salaries, class size, staff- child ratios, and professional development. It is a national school board for 4-year-olds. That is the reverse of what we want to do in this bill. Another familiar ring is it would be Common Core for kindergarten, so I urge a ``no'' vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the amendment.”