Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I can only say it was awful lonely for 20 years in the minority trying to get some funding for IDEA. In my home State of California, the cost of educating an estimated 600,000 children with disabilities is a staggering $3.4 billion, but the Federal Government contributes only $400 million, which translates to only 11.7 percent of the total cost. I believe before we look at creating new programs with new Washington mandates we need to ensure that the Federal Government lives up to the promises it made to the students, parents and schools over 2 decades ago. Each and every one of them stated that we must increase funding for IDEA before we create a new Federal program. If the President would first fund a special education mandate, our States and local school districts would have the funds to do the things the President proposes. This Congress will continue to work to provide fair Federal funding for special education so in the end we can improve education for all our children.”