David Obey: “I have a nephew that benefits from special education. But this amendment is a Johnny-one-note approach to education, and…”

“I have a nephew that benefits from special education. But this amendment is a Johnny-one-note approach to education, and it ought to be defeated. We will be offering an amendment later on in the process which attempts to add a billion and a half dollars to special education by asking the majority to consider cutting back its tax cuts by about 20 percent in size. That is the best way, in my view, under present circumstances to strengthen special education. This amendment is opposed by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, it is opposed by the National PTA, it is opposed by the American Association of School Administrators, the National Education Association, and the National Education of Federally Impacted Schools. Why? Because it cuts the maximum Pell grant award for every working-class kid trying to go to college $275 below last year's level. It cuts education for the poorest kids in this country who are having the most trouble getting an education, the disadvantaged, by $116 million. That means 178,000 fewer kids will be served.”