Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in opposition to the rule and to the underlying bill. This education bill fails students in so many ways it is difficult to know where to begin. In addition to putting forth a proposal that will cause so much harm, the majority denied many opportunities for amendments and improvements to the legislation that we are considering today. Among those amendments that were denied consideration was one offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) to prohibit discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The Student Nondiscrimination Act is an important piece of legislation that will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students across our country from harassment and bullying and would hold schools accountable for failing to protect our Nation's children. The Federal Government has a responsibility, Mr. Speaker, to do all that we can do to ensure the safest and best possible environment in which students can learn. When students are bullied or harassed because of who they are, they are denied the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Refusing to include provisions of the Student Nondiscrimination Act means we are failing our duty to protect all of our Nation's children and to guarantee them a safe and nurturing environment in which to learn.”