Political Quotes

“Yesterday afternoon the President held a Rose Garden ceremony to celebrate the No Child Left Behind Act. I voted for that legislation and I wish I could have joined in the celebration, but unfortunately because the administration refuses to fund the new law, I spent my afternoon answering questions from unhappy local leaders in my district who wanted to know where the money is going to come from to pay for the President's education reforms. Despite yesterday's White House photo op, the fact remains that the administration is cutting $20 billion from No Child Left Behind. Local leaders know that they will get stuck with the bill for these educational cuts. Make no mistake, the Bush educational cuts will result in worse schools, cuts in local services like law enforcement and fire and rescue or higher property taxes, or all of the above. There has got to be a better way. Last week I introduced H.R. 2366, the Fully Fund the No Child Left Behind Act. My bill simply requires the Federal Government to fund No Child Left Behind. Mr. Speaker, it is only fair. I urge my colleagues to join us in this legislation.”