Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce a series of education bills S. 1177, S. 1178, and S. 1179, that reflect many of my legislative priorities in K-12 education policy and the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. As Chairman Harkin, Ranking Member Enzi, and my Senate colleagues on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee continue negotiations on the reauthorization of ESEA, I feel that it is appropriate to introduce legislation that I have developed for inclusion in the reauthorized legislation. While the bills I have introduced today do not address all of the many changes that I feel are necessary to fix No Child Left Behind, they do emphasize areas of particular and longstanding concern to me and my constituents. I strongly believe that there must be a continued federal role in education in the United States. I have great respect for State and local school officials, and as such I believe that they continue to require Federal support to improve student achievement and improve graduation rates. Given the severe education funding challenges in my home State of New Mexico and across the country, Congress has a particular obligation to retain its focus on student achievement, especially among low-income and disadvantaged youth.…”