The failure of the American system is how we pay for it.

The diversity and the innovation we have in this country has been an inspiration for other countries. That is the genius of the American system.

The purpose of funding education is equity for poor kids, equity for children with disabilities.

If they were ninth graders, roughly 9 of them would graduate from a 4-year college.

I would like to thank Senator Bennet and Senator Harkin for raising this issue of equity.

I want to remind us for a moment why we are here.

We do not live that way anymore. We have suburbs and we have spread out from our towns.

If these 100 people were children in poverty in our country, eighth graders, 15 of them would be proficient in math.

I strongly support this funding and want to work with you and the Administration to see to it we get it done before this Congress adjourns.

I am concerned about some of the proposed cuts, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention them to you.

I think there is a desire by many for that to occur.