Political Quotes

“the bill we have been discussing for the last several days is a bipartisan bill entitled ``Ed-Flex.'' It really aims at a fundamental issue, I believe, which is how we improve education for our children, kindergarten through the 12th grade. This particular bill, which is sponsored by myself and Ron Wyden, is a bipartisan bill. It is a bill that is very simple. My question is: It seems that over the last several hours of yesterday that a number of extraneous amendments which have nothing to do with my bill, the Ed-Flex bill, a very specific bill which gives flexibility to schools and to teachers and to local communities to accomplish education goals--all of these amendments seem to be well intended, seem to be great programs, but I ask: Is it not appropriate, or more appropriate, so that we can deliver a bipartisan bill supported by the American people, supported by all 50 Governors, supported by the President of the United States, supported by the Department of Education--why can't we in this body come to agreement to pass this bill as written with several germane or relevant amendments, which we have been dealing with very appropriately, in a clean way without trying to attach all of these other programs--all of these other programs, I might add, which have huge price tags. My bill doesn't cost a single cent, has bipartisan support, and will help the children within weeks or months of passage.”