[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 149 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13342-S13343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CLASS SIZE REDUCTION
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, we are nearing the end of the budget
process, and there were inferences made on the floor yesterday that the
class size initiative should not be part of the final budget agreement
because--it has been claimed--the President doesn't have the authority
to insist that we hire more teachers to reduce class size.
Mr. President, I have come to the floor today to clarify the
President's important--and authorized role--in fighting for smaller
classes. I have also come to the floor to remind my colleagues that
this year we have smaller class sizes--where discipline has been
restored and kids can learn the basics--because last year Congress made
a bipartisan agreement--and a bipartisan commitment--to hire 100,000
new teachers in order to reduce size in first, second, and third
grades.
Today, as the budget process winds down, I want to make sure that our
agreement is not pushed aside.
Let me remind my colleagues that the President does have the
authority in the Constitution to register his opinion on whether or not
the budget is acceptable. In fact, the President doesn't just have the
authority, but he has the responsibility under Article I, Section 7 to
return bills with his objections that he does not approve of. And I'm
glad the President has that authority and that he will use it if this
Congress doesn't guarantee class size reductions. And 38 Senators
signed a letter saying we would stand behind his threatened veto
because we agree class size reduction is critical.
Mr. President, in trying to reduce the number of students in each
classroom, I have followed the process. In March, I was told it wasn't
the right time. In the subcommittee, I was told we weren't allowed to
offer amendments. In full committee, I was told it was too
controversial. Then, when I got the floor, I was told I'd have to wait
until the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was written. If we
have to wait until then, we won't be able to tell kids they will have
small classes next year, and we can't tell teachers they will have
their jobs next year.
Mr. President, I have followed the process, and I have waited. But I
am tired of waiting as I sense that this Congress is trying to undo our
bipartisan commitment. What am I supposed to tell students, ``Congress
has to write the ESEA and until then, you have to learn your ABCs in a
class with 35 students.'' To me, that is not acceptable. I'm not going
to tell them that. If this Congress feels so strong that guaranteeing
smaller classes is not important, you can give them your excuses.
This is about money in the budget that Congress approved last year,
and it is about us keeping our commitment to improving education by
reducing class size.
The class size reduction effort has been a success in its first year.
Today, we have kids learning in classrooms
[[Page S13343]]
that are less crowded--learning to read, learning to write, and
learning the basics with fewer discipline problems. They are working
with a trained professional. Research shows they are going to have
higher graduation rates, higher grade point averages and a higher
likelihood of pursuing higher education.
They are going to be successful because of the work this Congress did
one year ago. And the President has a right to insist on it. We as
Democrats have a right to insist on it, and--as a Senator in this
body--I am here to insist on it.
Now is the time to keep our commitment. Now is when the decisions are
being made. Now is when we have to stand up for smaller classes. If we
have to wait until after all budget deals have been cut, until after
all the money has been spent, we will have failed those teachers, we
will have failed those parents, but most importantly, we will have
failed those children.
Mr. President, it is a national priority to reduce class size so kids
can learn the basics and so discipline can be restored in the
classroom. It is a promise we made last year and we need to put the
money behind it, wherever it is appropriate.
A few weeks ago, I met with a teacher in Tacoma, WA, named Kris
Paynter. Last year, there were 30 kids in her first grade class. This
year there are 13 because of this program. That makes a huge difference
for those kids. I saw a disciplined classroom where kids could learn
the basics. Next year, we don't know how many kids will be in Ms.
Paynter's class. And we can't even guarantee those 29,000 teachers
hired last year will keep their jobs.
Mr. President, putting all of these process questions aside, what
really matters at the end of the day is that kids have smaller classes.
The teachers and parents in this country care that we do it. Period.
The millions of children who are now in smaller classes aren't
wondering ``has this been authorized?'' or ``is this in the budget?''
or ``does the President have the constitutional authority to reduce
class sizes?'' What really matters is that we fulfill our promise to
parents, teachers, and students that we made last year in a bipartisan
process.
Mr. President, I hate to say it, but at every turn, this Congress has
put special interests ahead of the interests of real families. This is
the last opportunity we will have to do something significant for kids.
We didn't address the loopholes that still allow kids and criminals to
get their hands on guns. We didn't make schools safer after the
Columbine tragedy. We didn't provide health insurance to more kids.
This is the last chance we have in this Congress to do something for
out kids, fix a problem we know exists. And I am here to say that we
cannot let this chance pass.
We need to keep our commitment to reducing class size. We need to be
able to tell those teachers they will have jobs next year, and we need
to be able to tell those kids they will have small classes next year.
Let's stand behind our commitment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wisconsin is recognized.
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