Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I want to start by thanking the gentlewoman for the amendment, although I do oppose it, and commending her for the outstanding work that she has personally done in this area of mentoring and helping kids get through school and off to a life with hope, rather than a life of crime and gangs. She has done remarkable work. As the gentlewoman knows, there are currently more than 80 elementary and secondary education programs in current law. This bill, the underlying bill, eliminates 65 of these programs, as we tried to allow schools more flexibility to do what they feel is most important with the money that they are getting. The gentlewoman's amendment calls for another $125 million of spending in the first year and such sums thereafter. I am afraid this is yet another Federal program that will be chronically underfunded and competing for funding that the schools so desperately need. While I admire her passion and her personal hard work in this field, I continue to oppose this amendment and ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment and support the underlying bill. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wilson). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.”