Political Quotes

“Madam President, in 1965, President Lyndon Johnson, when the ESEA was passed, said this: Financial assistance to school districts serving areas with concentrations of children of low income should be the target of it. We have never successfully targeted all of those kids in poverty. Let me say to my colleagues, if your State is in red, your poor students lose under the current formula. Now, we have come to a compromise, and though I don't think it reflects the best policy, compromise is at the heart of this institution. Therefore, with $14 billion worth of appropriations in title I-A today, this new formula would not take place until we have reached $17 billion, meaning for the next years--probably 10 based upon historical numbers--there would be no change in the distribution in any States. But after that point, this body, for once--for the first time in 50 years--would have the money follow kids in poverty, represented by the red States we see on this map. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. It is the right thing to do. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New York.”