Hank Johnson: “Today I rise to voice my strong opposition to H.J. Res. 57, which is another Republican proposal to erode the oversight…”

“Today I rise to voice my strong opposition to H.J. Res. 57, which is another Republican proposal to erode the oversight and enforcement authority of the Department of Education. In 2015, Congress responded to the voice of the American people by passing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) with bipartisan and bicameral support. This sweeping rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act gave states and local boards of education greater flexibility to implement plans to ensure student achievement, resource equity and greater accountability. I was happy to support the ESSA after seeking the advice of experienced educators and education stakeholders from Rockdale, DeKalb, and Gwinnett Counties, as well as throughout Georgia. H.J. Res 57, on the other hand, flies in the face of Congressional intent by gutting a key ESSA rule developed with, and supported by teachers, civil rights organizations, parents and states. H.J. Res 57 removes civil rights protections and blocks improvements to our nation's public education system by dismantling data-reporting requirements that ensure that the needs of underperforming groups in all subgroups are adequately supported. This includes African Americans, Latinos, and students with disabilities. The Administration and my Republican colleagues are playing political games that will ultimately harm taxpayers, teachers, and our nation's most disadvantaged students.…”