Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, today's consideration of H.R. 1 marks the end of many busy and work-filled nights and weekends over the past 4 months. I strongly believe that this bill enacts meaningful bipartisan education reform by striking the right balance. Clearly from the final resolution of issues in the reported bill, we all gave some, and some probably feel they gave too much. But the result is a bipartisan bill. Several provisions in the bill are especially worthy of mention. With regard to title I, I am pleased that the amendment protects and preserves many of the core advances that the last reauthorization of ESEA in 1994 instituted, and maintains our existing requirements to develop and implement challenging standards and aligned assessments. Preserved are title I's targeting of resources to high-poverty school districts and schools. Also maintained are vital national priorities such as the 21st Century Community Learning Centers and the Civic and International Education Programs which are key priorities of mine. Most importantly, I believe the strong accountability requirements we have added to ESEA greatly improve the bill.”