07.07.15

The ‘Senate Is On A Roll’

Up Next: A ‘Much Needed And Long Overdue’ Update To Federal Education Policy, That ‘Would Empower State And Local Leaders’

 

“After Trade Triumph, Senate Republicans Look to Rack Up More Wins: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s Senate is on a roll — and he wants to make sure it stays that way. After reviving Trade Promotion Authority, the Kentucky Republican opted to move next to a bipartisan rewrite of the No Child Left Behind education law in a bid to maintain the chamber’s legislative momentum.” (“After Trade Triumph, Senate Republicans Look To Rack Up More Wins,” Roll Call, 7/7/15)

SEN. LAMAR ALEXANDER (R-TN): ‘Restore to states, school districts, classroom teachers and parents the responsibility… [for] improving student achievement.’ “Seven years is long enough to consider how to fix No Child Left Behind. The committee considered 57 amendments, approved 29, and improved the bipartisan agreement Ranking Member Murray and I reached—but the consensus that the committee found is the same that Senator Murray and I found. That consensus is this: Continue the law’s important measurements of academic progress of students but restore to states, school districts, classroom teachers and parents the responsibility for deciding what to do about improving student achievement.” (Sen. Alexander, Press Release, 4/16/15)

 

‘Federal Role In Local Schools Would Be Significantly Reduced’

“The U.S. Senate, for the first time in 14 years, will debate an all-new federal education policy this week. The bipartisan proposal would do away with the No Child Left Behind law and reduce — but not end — the federal government's role in public elementary and secondary education.” (Senate Poised To Take Up Education Bill,” USA Today, 7/6/15)

“It's something most Democrats and Republicans in Congress can agree on — an update to the Bush-era No Child Left Behind education law is much needed and long overdue.” (“Senate, House Look To Update Bush-Era Education Law,” AP, 7/7/15)

  • “It passed the committee unanimously in April. No small feat, agree Alexander, a former U.S. education secretary, and Murray, a former preschool teacher — who had to win over conservatives on the panel like GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky as well as more liberal members, such as Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren.” (“Senate, House Look To Update Bush-Era Education Law,” AP, 7/7/15)

“Alexander is expected to emphasize how the bill he wrote with Murray would weaken the U.S. Education Department and empower state and local leaders.” (Senate Poised To Take Up Education Bill,” USA Today, 7/6/15)

  • “It also would expressly prohibit the federal government from requiring or encouraging any specific set of academic standards. That's a reference to the Common Core standards, which were drafted by the states with the support of the administration but have become a rallying point for those who want to see a reduced federal role in education.” (“Senate, House Look To Update Bush-Era Education Law,” AP, 7/7/15)

 

Part Of A Pattern Of Accomplishment

“The new Republican-controlled Congress has accomplished much in its first six months. A major Medicare overhaul. ... The fast-track trade authority coveted by both the GOP leadership and President Obama.” (National Journal, 7/6/15)

  • 20+ bills signed into law
  • 45+ bills passed the Senate
  • 150+ bills reported from Senate committees

 

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Related Issues: Education, Back to Work, Restoring the Senate, Every Student Succeeds Act