David Obey: “if you think that there is too much education in this country, then vote for this amendment. If you think that we could…”

“if you think that there is too much education in this country, then vote for this amendment. If you think that we could use more help to people trying to get an education, then you vote against it. I think that the only thing wrong with this program in the eyes of the White House is the name of the man that's attached to the program, the distinguished Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia. He sponsored this program, which provides needs-based scholarships all over the country, some 15,000 of them. I happen to think that's a good thing. I think the recipients certainly think it's a good thing. I think the working families of the recipients think it's a good thing. The gentleman says that the White House Budget Office has ranked this program as 'not determined' in terms of effectiveness. I would remind you, this is the same White House that is claiming that the surge in Iraq has shown great progress. I hardly think that their judgment ought to serve as the standing judgment of the House. I also note, by the way, that the White House also ranks as 'effectiveness not being determined' IDEA preschool grants, and IDEA Grants for Infants and Families. We've had several efforts on the part of people on that side of the aisle today to increase funding for IDEA. I didn't see them stopping then because the White House didn't think that was such a hot idea.”