Rep. Veasey Statement on House Republican ESEA Reauthorization

Washington, D.C. –Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, released the following statement after voting against the partisan H.R. 5, Student "Success" Act:

"Today, I voted against the partisan H.R. 5, Student "Success" Act that passed the House earlier this afternoon. This reauthorization bill undermines the intended purpose of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 which was written to help states prepare all children for college and careers. However, H.R. 5 represents a step backwards in education and hurts the success of our youth at every turn.

The legislation implements significant cuts to education funding, while directing taxpayer dollars away from schools with high percentages of children from low-income families. In my home state of Texas alone, an estimated $13 million dollars in federal Title I funding would be cut from Dallas ISD and $2.7 million from Fort Worth ISD according to a report released by the White House. Additionally, H.R. 5 undercuts federal accountability and taxpayer investment by eliminating requirements that schools or districts take action when failing to improve academic achievement or graduation rates.

Education is the primary vehicle by which struggling families can move into the middle class and achieve the American Dream. We should not roll back educational opportunities for our children, but instead ensure that we work to improve academic achievement to increase American competitiveness. I've joined not only with school districts around the state of Texas but also with hundreds of professional organizations including LULAC, NAACP, Education Trust, National Education Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that all oppose this bill."

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