Eleanor Holmes Norton: “This year, of course, recognizing that they might lose $40 million, there was another bill, and a bare majority said…”

“This year, of course, recognizing that they might lose $40 million, there was another bill, and a bare majority said: Give us the money. But I want you to understand what the letter from the District of Columbia said. ``A reauthorization of the SOAR Act would help safeguard $150 million in Federal funds for the D.C. Public Schools and public charter schools over 5 years.'' And they go on to say: ``SOAR Act funding for D.C. Public Schools has been used to support initiatives that reward and increase retention of high performing teachers and principals. The funds also help attract more high quality teachers and principals to D.C. Public Schools and improve the efficiency with which schools are run. ``After years of decline, D.C. public school enrollment is rising for the first time in decades. Schools that previously struggled to fill their pre-kindergarten seats have waiting lists and other schools are attracting families back into the system at grade levels that have historically lost students.'' Clearly, we have a school system--and I cannot help but identify with them--that does not want to lose $40 million for D.C. public schools and D.C. charter schools. I don't ask anybody to change their vote. This program is going to be funded.”