Asa Hutchinson: “I will only take a minute to briefly explain why I ask my colleagues to support the amendment I have offered. There are…”

“I will only take a minute to briefly explain why I ask my colleagues to support the amendment I have offered. There are, frankly, three amendments that deal with the issue of school construction. I believe Senator Harkin and Senator Enzi are sincere. They have worked very hard. They understand there is a severe problem out there. In fact, there is one area of agreement that we all have, and that is that there is a serious need in this country for resources for school construction. There is a different approach. There are three votes. There are three amendments. There is only one that does not create a new Federal program addressing school construction. So while there are merits and demerits to the various approaches, the other two amendments create a new program--both create new programs--for school construction. I believe that is wrong. There is only one amendment that preserves the prerogative of State and local governments to control the school construction issue. So my amendment offers a helping hand through the Tax Code for local school districts, low-income, poor school districts to better be able to address the school construction needs they have.”