Nita Lowey: “I was disappointed to see your budget request includes focus grants, which is, in essence, a $1 billion Title I…”

I am delighted to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), the chair of the Committee on Financial Services.

I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, a member of my class in the Congress.

Congress has the unique opportunity to support the Administration in creating a new strategy that takes a long-term approach.

We cannot allow a return to a familiar and unstable status quo which repeatedly increases violence and animosity while rendering a final resolution of the conflict impossible.