Patty Murray: “I also come to the floor to support the extremely important amendment offered by the Senator from Massachusetts, which…”

“I also come to the floor to support the extremely important amendment offered by the Senator from Massachusetts, which is offered to ensure that all students get the educational resources they deserve. This amendment funds title I at the level we agreed to when we passed the No Child Left Behind Act and increases Pell grants so we can help more low-income students afford college. This is the minimum investment we need to make if we truly are going to leave no child behind. Leaving no child behind is a noble goal, one that we all endorse. But it is a travesty to use the mantra of the Children's Defense Fund as a cover for policies and budgets that hurt rather than help American students. Make no mistake, the bill before us, based on the President's budget, will leave students behind. I find it particularly incredible that at the same time the President and his friends in Congress are pushing for a $674 billion tax cut, they are insisting that we provide less money for the education of our children.”