Jay Rockefeller: “Education determines our future--the future of our children, our States, and our Nation. Without a good education…”

“Education determines our future--the future of our children, our States, and our Nation. Without a good education, children in West Virginia cannot fulfill their potential. Our country must increase its commitment to education, not pare it back, in order to meet the fierce challenges of a highly competitive world and to ensure the long-term security of our citizens. While I recognize the need to enact this next continuing resolution to keep the Federal Government open, I am immensely sorry to see that the majority party still persists in cutting education and other programs that are so essential to the families of our States. The $3 billion cut in education programs, implicit in the funding levels of this bill, is exactly what Americans fear. Obviously, the continuing resolution has to pass to avoid a much larger crisis. But this education amendment I am cosponsoring will establish a clear record that some of us believe education should be treated as the priority that it is for children and families, and some do not. Education is a priority for the people of West Virginia and our country. And it has been a priority for me throughout my career in public service.”