Max Baucus: “I want to state very simply but strongly and unequivocally that I support S. 280, the Education Flexibility Partnership…”

“I want to state very simply but strongly and unequivocally that I support S. 280, the Education Flexibility Partnership Act, and I support it very strongly. There is a very simple truth. That is, we need to trust our parents, trust our teachers, trust our local school boards. We should do everything in our power to unshackle our children from binding Federal Government-mandated rules that might make sense in Manhattan, NY, but not in Manhattan, MT. Two weeks ago I had the honor of addressing the Montana State legislature, and when I spoke I told them that the time has come to bring the promise of world-class education to every Montanan. I daresay that virtually everyone in this body has made the same statement, because he or she believes it very deeply, when speaking to his or her own legislatures back in their own States or to any group whatsoever that is interested in education. I believe very deeply we must do that. I also believe we need to ingrain that ethic into the hearts and minds of those who care about education all across our country. Indeed, it is similar to the environment. We are the stewards of our children's learning, and our future as a nation very deeply depends on our willingness to invest in them and our teachers and our schools all across our country. We have a moral responsibility to leave this Nation's children prepared to meet the challenges ahead.”