“There’s an Opportunity to Build on Recent Progress”

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement after Education Secretary Arne Duncan testified at a hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee.

“The economy is the most important issue facing America today, and that’s precisely why we need to strengthen the long-term foundation of our economy, which is our education system,” said Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers.  “At a time when Republicans and Democrats are disagreeing over health care and government spending, there is reason to be hopeful that education is an issue where both parties can find common ground and come together in the best interests of the American people.”

“The No Child Left Behind law (NCLB) revealed the true state of America’s schools and set standards that have served as a catalyst for progress and reform.  It’s time to build on that success.  Secretary Duncan’s testimony provides encouragement that we can modernize NCLB in a bipartisan way, and I look forward to seeing more details on his proposals.”