Jeff Bingaman: “The amendment I am offering makes it clear that Governors should be consulted with regard to the Elementary and…”

“The amendment I am offering makes it clear that Governors should be consulted with regard to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act plans which are involved in this legislation but that the Congress is not going to override the provisions States have adopted in their constitutions and in their statutes for organizing and administering their educational programs. The Voinovich amendment--which is the second vote--in my view, is objectionable because it will give a veto to the Governor over any State plan for the expenditure of the Federal funds in that State. My State does not allow the Governor a veto. It has a provision for the Governor to appoint five members of our State school board--to be involved in that way. But the State school board has the responsibility under our constitution. I want to see to it that Congress does not try to override my State's constitution and the constitutions and statutes of quite a few States which have their own ways of administering their educational programs. For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that, again, I am offering on behalf of myself, Senator Hatch, Senator Kennedy, and Senator Domenici.”