Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, I do want to thank the gentleman from Mississippi for bringing this amendment forward, although I do oppose it. The Student Success Act, the underlying bill, requires--requires-- States and school districts to establish academic standards consistent with current law and requires States to establish statewide accountability systems that result in students being prepared for postsecondary education or the workforce when they graduate high school. The proper role of the Federal Government, Madam Chair, is to support and empower State and local innovation so that education leaders are better equipped to meet the needs of our most vulnerable students. It is back to the fundamental question of who do we trust here. We believe very strongly that parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, school boards, and States have a much better understanding of the needs of their students--and this is about students--than Washington does. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Thompson amendment and support the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time. {time} 1215”