Political Quotes

“I rise to voice my opposition to H.R. 6, Improving America's Schools Act as it is currently drafted. In particular, I am concerned about its mandatory opportunity to learn standards which would dramatically increase Federal involvement in local education. The problem of unfunded Federal mandates has finally begun commanding the attention of Congress. Several amendments have been offered to bills on the House floor to address unfunded Federal mandates, and a number of members, including myself, have introduced bills to eliminate existing Federal mandates that are unnecessary or too onerous, and require Congress to pay for the laws we pass in the future. If you are at all concerned about unfunded Federal mandates and the burden that they place on States and local governments, then you should join me in opposition to these mandatory opportunity to learn standards. Clearly, one of the most objectionable and controversial provisions in H.R. 6 would require states receiving title I funds to develop opportunity to learn standards that focus on the inputs into the educational process, rather than the results.”