James M. Jeffords: “I will oppose all amendments that are relevant to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. I will do this, not…”

“I will oppose all amendments that are relevant to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. I will do this, not because I am callous to these issues, in fact, I’ve championed them, but because these amendments should be discussed in the normal committee process. I will, however, support amendments that are designed to let local educators direct more money to special education. The reauthorization of special ed occurred last year, and it is open to have more money. The amendment I introduced on behalf of Senator Lott and others will provide local communities with a choice regarding how much they will use their share of the $1.2 billion included in last year's omnibus appropriations bill for education. Under our amendments, a school system may use the funds either to hire teachers or to support activities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. What fairer system can you have under the circumstances?”