Virginia Foxx: “My colleague has raised the provision in the manager's amendment related to school-based health centers referring…”

“My colleague has raised the provision in the manager's amendment related to school-based health centers referring children in schools for abortions. Regardless of their position on abortion, most Americans agree that the issue should not be raised at school. The language now in the bill reflects that consensus and would have no impact on adoptions. Mr. Speaker, my background as an educator, school board member, mother, and grandmother reinforces my belief that students are best served when people at the local level are in control of education decisions. I also believe that education is the most important tool Americans at any age can have. I was the first person in my family to graduate from high school and went to college where I worked full time and attended school part time. It took me 7 years to earn my bachelor's degree, and I continued to work my way through my master's and doctoral degrees. From my own experience, I am convinced this is the greatest country in the world for many reasons, not the least of which is that a person like me, who grew up extremely poor in a house with no electricity and no running water, with parents with very little formal education and no prestige at all, could work hard and be elected to the United States House of Representatives.…”