Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7240, the reauthorization of the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development, or the READ Act. I would first like to thank my colleagues, Representative Bass and Representative Smith, for their leadership in this legislation. I also want to acknowledge former Appropriations Chairwoman Lowey for championing basic education programs for so many years in the House. The READ Act is just one piece of her great legacy. The bill we are considering today reauthorizes the READ Act for another 5 years, continuing our country's leadership in expanding access to basic education for kids around the world. As Chairwoman Lowey would say, education is one of the greatest force multipliers in foreign aid. Every dollar we spend on a child's education is an investment in their future and in a more peaceful and prosperous world. {time} 1500 Since the READ Act was signed into law in 2017, we have made significant progress in responding to the needs of our partner countries to improve literacy, strengthen education systems, expand access to safe learning, and promote education as a foundation for sustained economic growth. Despite this progress, the READ Act and our basic education programs remain critical in the face of profound learning loss everywhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…”