T. Gorton: “I will oppose this bill as one that I consider imposes not only an unfunded but an unwarranted mandate literally on…”

“I will oppose this bill as one that I consider imposes not only an unfunded but an unwarranted mandate literally on every school district, every school director, every school administrator, every teacher in the public school systems of the United States. At the same time, Mr. President, I want to pay heartfelt tribute to the distinguished Senator from Vermont, who is managing the bill, to the distinguished junior Senator from Tennessee, who has perhaps spent more time on it during his 2-plus years in the U.S. Senate than he has on any other issue and, probably, than any other Senator has in that time. From their perspective--and it is a valid perspective--this bill represents a substantial step in the right direction from the current Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.”