Political Quotes

“it would be disingenuous, and plain false, for anyone to suggest that this Congress has not been dedicated to the needs of our nation's special education students. In the past year we have recognized the importance reform has on the program when we reauthorized IDEA. Rather than to throw money at IDEA this body passed a reauthorization bill that will enhance efficiencies ultimately resulting in increased services for special education students. In the past year we have also voted to increase funding for IDEA, at a record level. There should be no doubt that this Congress is consistently focused on the needs of these students. In the past eight years we have more than tripled funding for special education. In 1975 the Congress said it would pay 40 percent of the per pupil cost to educate special education students. We are making great strides toward meeting the 40-percent goal. Since 1996 we have increased this contribution from 7.3 percent to almost 20 percent this year. We all deserve to be proud of this and we all should be dedicated to continuing this progress.”