Education Bill a Bipartisan, Reformist Replacement for No Child Left Behind
‘Last November, the American people elected a new Congress to get Washington working again. Nearly every day seems to bring more signs that we are.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding bi-partisan education reform:
“Last November, the American people elected a new Congress to get Washington working again.
“Nearly every day seems to bring more signs that we are.
“Over the weekend, President Obama signed the FAST Act, a multi-year highway bill, into law.
“It represents a significant departure from years of short-term extensions and congressional inaction.
“In fact, the FAST Act is the longest-term highway bill to pass Congress in almost two decades, proving 5 full years of highway funding.
“Here’s what Kentuckians for Better Transportation — a top transportation advocacy organization in the commonwealth — had to say about it:
“‘After many, many years of short term continuing resolutions we finally have a long term authorization that will give our states the opportunity to plan for and implement major road projects,’ they said, and now ‘we can plan for the future.’
“That’s because, in a new and more open Senate, Senator Inhofe, a Republican, and Senator Boxer, a Democrat, were able to work together for its passage.
“Senator Boxer herself called it ‘a major accomplishment.’
“Here’s another major accomplishment.
“The Every Student Succeeds Act.
“It’s a bipartisan, reformist replacement for No Child Left Behind.
“Pundits said Washington could never agree on how to replace No Child Left Behind. The issue went unresolved for many years.
“But in a new and more open Senate, Senator Alexander, a Republican, and Senator Murray, a Democrat, worked hard and found success in the bill before us.
“The House already passed it, 359-64.
“The Senate previously passed a very similar version of the bill too, 81-17.
“Tomorrow, we should work together to pass it for a second and final time—and send it to the President for his signature.
“It will be the latest important achievement for the American people, from a new Congress that’s back to work and back on their side.”
Related Issues: Education, Back to Work, Highway Bill, Restoring the Senate, Every Student Succeeds Act, Infrastructure
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