Edward M. Kennedy: “I appreciate my colleague's concern here. As he knows, we have in the committee bill and the substitute amendment a…”

“I appreciate my colleague's concern here. As he knows, we have in the committee bill and the substitute amendment a provision that says, ``Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede the legal authority of any State agency or official over programs that are under the jurisdiction of the agency or official.'' We strengthened that provision in the substitute amendment to assure that all the responsibilities recognized in Federal law and granted in State law are respected. The House version of the bill contains the same provisions. We also provided in the committee bill and the substitute that in approving these plans, the Secretaries of Labor and Education would give priority to applications that demonstrate the highest levels of collaboration among the various State agencies and officials in planning and implementing these systems. We strengthened the provision in the substitute amendment by including concurrence of these officials in that priority.”