Richard K. Armey: “I fully expect and hope with all my heart that this Chamber will have the heart to pass amendment No. 15. But should…”

“I fully expect and hope with all my heart that this Chamber will have the heart to pass amendment No. 15. But should this Chamber simply not rise to that occasion, if we should find a lack of love in this body with respect to that amendment, I would offer this amendment. This amendment solves the concerns we have about the money and introduces $50 million worth of new money to set up five demonstration programs where school systems can voluntarily decide would they like to try a choice program, a scholarship program, and families within those school districts can voluntarily decide would they like to participate. The amendment allows a chance to study the success of children who have this opportunity, to see if they do better when their parents exercise that influence over their educational life. We have had a lot of debate. I have heard an awful lot of opinion. There are a great many people that oppose the opportunities of freedom and choice in public education, who think my arguments are full of hot air; and there are a lot of arguments I heard against my great ideas that I think are hogwash. But in an academic setting, the logical thing to do is put it to the test.”