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Charlotte NC

Congresswoman Adams Denounces House Passage Of H.R. 5

July 8, 2015

Congresswoman Adams Spoke on the House Floor In Opposition To H.R. 5

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Alma S. Adams (NC-12), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, today voted against H.R. 5, the Student Success Act. This Republican legislation strips education funding and weakens protections for the most underserved students. The legislation passed the House of Representatives today on a party line vote of 218 to 213.

Earlier today, Congresswoman Adams spoke on the House Floor in opposition to H.R. 5. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery:

"Today I rise in opposition to H.R.5. Education is a civil right and when the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was passed in 1965; its purpose was to ensure access to a quality education for our neediest students that are often low-income and minority.

"We can all agree that ESEA re-authorization is long overdue. However, the proposal put forth by Republicans falls short and makes a bad situation worse.

"Each day that No Child Left Behind is law - is one more day that we are, in fact, leaving children behind. H.R. 5 is not the answer – by voting for this bill you are voting against our students, our teachers, and our schools.

"A vote for H.R. 5 is a vote to take money from our poorest and most at risk students. A vote to erase the educational gains we've made over the past 50 years; and a vote to deny many of our students a chance at real success.

"It's time to wake up and vote no on H.R. 5!

"Congress passed ESEA 50 years ago with the intent of protecting our students by providing quality and equal education. While we've made some strides towards achieving this goal, we can all agree that we've fallen short and we still have work to do.

"Today, instead of putting forth a bipartisan bill that moves us closer to equal and quality education for every child, Republicans have introduced a bill that will roll back the hands of time and undo our progress.

"H.R. 5 turns its back on some of our most vulnerable student populations; and lacks the accountability measures necessary to ensure student success.

"A report from the Southern Education Foundation found that more than 50 percent of our public school students live in poverty! Title I has always been the main source of federal funding for our country's poorest students. H.R. 5 would reverse this long-standing practice and instead remove money from school districts with the greatest need, diluting their ability to meaningfully fund programs that serve low-income students.

"At a time when 40 percent of college students take remedial courses and employers continue to complain of inadequate preparation for high school graduates, we must ensure all students are college and career ready.

"H.R. 5 allows states to lower standards that lead to students graduating unprepared. How can we expect our students to compete in a global economy when they aren't prepared?

"I believe we need to invest in the futures of our children; support our teachers and principals; and ensure the success of our neediest students. This is why I'm proud to support Mr. Scott's amendment and want to thank him for his leadership in challenging H.R.5.

"This amendment reaffirms the federal government's proper role in education and addresses many of the problems that surround No Child Left Behind. Students in low-income families already have obvious disadvantages that are exacerbated when they arrive to kindergarten less prepared than their middle and high-income peers. This amendment prioritizes early education to help our students start out strong.

"It puts protections in place against bullying and supports the physical, mental, and emotional stability of students. It gets rid of AYP and also makes important investments in STEM education and other components of a well-rounded education.

"Education should be an issue that unites us, not divides us. This Scott amendment is exactly what our schools, our students and our teachers need. I urge my colleagues to vote for the Scott Amendment and not for HR.5.

"H.R. 5 is a bill that fails on all counts. It fails to serve needy students. It fails to invest in our teachers and principals. It fails to prepare students for college and careers, and most of all it fails to address the core principals of federal education policy. H.R.5 deserves an F, and I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing it."

Issues:Education