For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 23, 2001
President Bush Discusses Education Plan Before Meeting with Joint Congressional Education Leadership Group
PRESIDENT BUSH: Good morning, everybody. I want to welcome you all. I
particularly want to welcome senior members of the Senate and the
House. We're here today to discuss a domestic policy issue of high
importance, and
that's public education -- how to make sure every child in America
gets educated.
I have always said that public schools, the common schools, issues
related to public schools are not a Republican issue or Democrat issue;
it's an American issue. And we'll agree on things, we won't
agree on things, but we will always agree that making sure every child
is educated is of national importance, because it is a major priority.
There is a role for the federal government, there's a role for state
government, there's a role for local governments, and part of the --
part of our discussions and eventual legislation will recognize those
roles.
And I am so honored that the senators came over and members of the
House leadership that's going to help carry legislation. I believe the
best way for the vice president and I to help the legislative process
is to discuss issues in a frank and open way, and that's the beginning
of a process here.
So thank you all for coming. I'm honored you're here.
Q Mr. President, Senator McCain yesterday said that he has a mandate.
Do you agree with him that he has a mandate and, if so, what is that
mandate?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm going to meet with the senator tomorrow night to
discuss issues of concern for him. I suspect one of them might be
campaign funding reform. But I'll let you know how the conversation
goes. I'm confident it's going to be friendly and productive.
John and I are friends. I remember we debated the issue several times
-- I think you might have been there -- and I think there's a need to
discuss good campaign funding reform, and we will.
Q Mr. President, how much of a sticking point for Democrats do you
think your school choice, or voucher, program is?
And are you willing to give ground in order to get a broader deal?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I think that there is consensus on a couple things.
One, accountability is the cornerstone for reform. And secondly, in
order for there to be a -- an accountability system that's got merit,
there has to be
a consequence. And that's what we're going to discuss.
Representative Miller from the state of California understands that
accountability is crucial for success. And so does Boehner, and I hope
the senator -- I haven't had a chance to speak specifically with
Senator Kennedy yet. I'm about to. But we got to measure, and there
needs to be flexibility at the local level, to make sure that local
folks can chart the
path to excellence.
But in order for an accountability system to work, there has to be
consequences, and I believe one of the most important consequences will
be,
after a period of time, giving the schools time to adjust and
districts time to try different things, if they're failing, that
parents ought to be given different options.
If children are trapped in schools that will not teach and will not
change,
there has to be a different consequence.
None of us at the federal government should try to impose a school
voucher plan on states and local jurisdictions. That's not the
prerogative of the federal government, as far as I'm concerned. But to
the extent that the federal government spends money, we ought to expect
good results and good consequences.
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