We must be extremely cautious about policies that manipulate student loan interest rates and use need-based student aid subsidies as bargaining chips.

It just seems to me that the president is missing an opportunity by not putting that in his budget.

It is apparent that there is some remorse and some angst being expressed over the fact that the Pelosi Congress put into law a doubling of the student interest rates from 3.4 to 6.8 this year.

We identified areas of education spending that have failed to show results and stressed the need for an education system that is more accountable, transparent, and flexible.

The committee has since worked to eliminate unnecessary programs and reduce federal intervention in schools and colleges.

Improving education in America is a priority for everyone in this room.

These schools need this money now. They can use it now; they know how to use it now.

I have spent 36 years on this committee and 36 years in Congress, and this is going to be my last year.

I want to take my closing remarks to reemphasize how important I think it is that we go right at that IDEA funding.

We reiterated our support for a less costly, less intrusive federal role in the nation's classrooms.

there is a slim chance that the walls could cave in or the roof could collapse

there is a chance that an odorless gas might leak into your new office and it could kill you