Political Quotes

“I rise to speak about this bill to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. As the only former State schools chief serving in Congress, I know firsthand the tremendous challenges facing our schools, teachers, parents and students when it comes to educating disabled children. Congress has an obligation to provide a fair share of funding for special education, and although this bill makes some progress toward that important goal, it unfortunately falls short. Since 1975, the Federal Government has pledged to fund 40 percent of the costs of educating children with disabilities, but it has never made good on that promise. When I first arrived in this body, Congress was only funding its special education obligations at about 14 percent. This year that level will rise to about 18 percent, and this legislation will provide for additional increases perhaps as high as 21 percent. But Mr. Chairman, that still is not good enough. Congress must live up to its commitments and fully fund IDEA. I also urge my colleagues to vote against the voucher amendments on this bill. Specifically, the DeMint amendment would siphon off precious public resources and funnel them to fund private schools. Vouchers are not good public policy. Taking taxpayer dollars to fund private school tuition is wrong. I urge my colleagues to vote against any and all voucher amendments.”