On the recordJune 30, 2020
I thank my colleague from Missouri for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 2. The Democrats' school construction provisions in H.R. 2 will result in increased costs to taxpayers, increased costs to States and school districts, and crushing new requirements for the entire education community, all in exchange for limited grants to a handful of school districts. What is worse, Democrats have inserted provisions of their radical Green New Deal in this bill to appease their far-left Members. Schools will be forced to comply with burdensome green requirements. The costs to comply with these requirements could exceed the funding schools are being offered. This ill-advised bill also unnecessarily limits access to funds by charter schools, continuing Democrats' relentless assault on any educational option that provides families a lifeline out of a failing school. H.R. 2 spends taxpayer dollars recklessly to advance bad ideas. This partisan bill is the wrong answer for students, teachers, and their communities. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch), a member of the committee.
