Mitch Landrieu: “We have made in the last several weeks in this debate a tremendous amount of progress, taking some of the best ideas…”

“We have made in the last several weeks in this debate a tremendous amount of progress, taking some of the best ideas offered by our colleagues on the Republican side, some of the best ideas offered on the Democratic side. The President himself has come forward with a number of good ideas that have now been weaved into this underlying bill. We are in the process of perfecting it. Some amendments offered on this floor have strengthened the underlying bill, including accountability, moving our money in a more targeted fashion. Hopefully, with this amendment, we will take a giant step toward that particular goal, encouraging our system to start rewarding success, to stop funding failure, expecting good things from our teachers and our schools, then providing resources. All of these elements are important to the underlying bill. Let me stress one thing I have said on the floor on many occasions: Investment without accountability is a waste of resources. Accountability without resources is a waste of time. We don't have a lot of time to waste. A childhood goes by so quickly.”