Harry Reid: “today, I am cosponsoring S.7, the Educational Excellence for All Learners Act. This bill increases school capacity…”

“today, I am cosponsoring S.7, the Educational Excellence for All Learners Act. This bill increases school capacity, makes schools accountable for results and ensures increased student achievement. S.7 ensures that the federal government uphold its commitment to the local school districts to fully fund the IDEA program. S.7 also promotes literacy by increasing the funding for the Reading Excellence Act. Another area in great need for resources in our educational system is teacher training. Senator Conrad and I have proposed legislation that is included in S.7 which would provide federal support for teacher technology training to better prepare teachers to teach technology to our children. But, I am gravely concerned that we will not have the resources that will be needed to properly fund our obligations to education--and give back to the American family. A tax cut of the magnitude that George W. Bush is pushing will not only eliminate any increase in funding for the military--as President Bush announced a few days ago--but it will also eliminate any increase in funding for the education of our children. I say to President Bush--we should not leave our children behind. I am not saying that Democrats do not support a tax cut. To the contrary. However, the difference between Democrats and Republicans is that Democrats are unwilling to jeopardize the domestic dividends that will materialize over the next generation for the health and education of our families.”