Political Quotes

“I thank the ranking member for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this so-called Schools Not Shelters Act, which should be called the shutting out students act to reflect what this cruel legislation actually does. It would punish public schools and colleges and their students for showing humanity. This is the second time in less than a month that the majority is bringing legislation to the floor that discriminates against and scapegoats vulnerable people based on their identity. It is the continuation of a trend that, unfortunately, we have seen in this Congress. Republicans claim that there is a crisis in American education, but their legislation on the floor today would deepen disparities rather than improve public education. I am disheartened by the continued attempts by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to delegitimize public schools, the only schools that are required to serve everyone and turn no one away. Mr. Speaker, public schools are often used as shelters. I hope this bill does not become law, but if it did, what would public schools have to do--check everyone for citizenship before offering shelter to those in need? I point out if this bill were to become law and schools lost Federal funding because of it, that hurts students--not the people making the decision; the students. Title I funding, for example, is designed to help schools with high populations of low-income students.…”