Howard P. McKeon

The budget provides much needed increases in several key areas such as military personnel and missile defense.

I am pleased to see that the budget continues to support our military men and women fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

I cannot in good conscience ask them to do more with less.

I will not support initiatives that will leave our military less capable and less ready to fight.

The security challenges facing our Nation require that we find solutions and not merely prolonged political debate.

It is the job of this committee to ensure that our men and women in uniform are properly trained, resourced, equipped, and supported.

I think competition is better and I am really sorry to see the government moving in so many areas.

Education, especially a college education, is an engine that drives the American dream.

I believe the American people have already made that choice.

Some in the Administration may want to fully take over the automotive industry, but I don't think the American people would agree.

With all due respect, this is like arguing that the federal government should directly manufacture and sell cars because the Administration is now assisting Chrysler and GM.

Education--especially a college education--is an engine that drives the American Dream. I would like to see this committee do what it can to help those American Dreams come true.

I think the competition has been good. I fought direct lending when they first brought it in, but over 16 years we have seen where the competition, I think, has made both programs better.

We also believe in the right of parents to choose the school or other educational options that best fits the needs of their children.

Education decisions should be left to those who make them best--parents, local school districts and the states.

Ending this public-private partnership also will cost more than 30,000 jobs right off the bat, and could affect thousands more.

We believe that teachers and principals should be rewarded for their success in improving academic achievement.

But until that happens, we shouldn't take away this critical lifeline.

This is child abuse, plain and simple, and it has no role in our nation's schools.

All students, but especially those with disabilities, have the right to attend a school that is a safe and rich learning environment.

There should never be justification for secluding a student in a room without proper adult supervision or restraining a student so that he or she cannot breathe.

At the end of the day I believe we are all committed to the same goal of protecting our children and our coworkers.

I believe we are all committed to the same goal of protecting our children and our coworkers.

I urge members of this committee to encourage these efforts by staying out of their way.

There is no reason why the states can't work together to create their own common academic standards.