Political Quotes

“I support her amendment. The basic issue is this: Will we give the pink slip to 29,000 teachers at the end of this school year, teachers who were hired to use their professional skills, to have reduced class size which helps kids along in kindergarten, first, and second grades? The Republicans say yes; the Democrats say no. The Republicans say: Give them the pink slips. Give the money to the school districts. Let them do with it what they like. I think Senator Murray, in supporting this amendment which I support as well, is supporting a concept that is tested and proven. During the course of this debate, we have been visited in the galleries by many students--hundreds of them, perhaps. I think if you ask each of them whether it was a better classroom experience when they were in a small class where they got to know the teacher and worked with them or in some large study hall with 200 or 300 students, the answer is obvious. It is obvious on this side of the aisle but, unfortunately, not on the other side of the aisle.”