On the recordFebruary 25, 2015
I strongly oppose H.R. 5, the Student Success Act. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act reaffirmed the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education that every child has the right to an equal educational opportunity. H.R. 5 undermines the law's original intent, turning back the clock on equity and accountability in American public education. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of ESEA, Republicans have chosen to honor the anniversary by bringing a partisan bill to the House floor that tears apart the historic Federal role in education. H.R. 5 should be known as the ``Ensure Students Don't Succeed Act.'' The bill is a backward leap in our country's education system, not a forward one. Every student in America has a right to a quality education. It is our job as Members of Congress to make sure that right is protected, something that H.R. 5 does not do. I refuse to fail our children and their families because our children deserve so much more than this legislation provides.
