Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) voted against House leaders’ proposed reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

ESEA, also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), has not been updated for nearly 15 years. More than 20 Republicans joined with every Democrat in the House to oppose H.R. 5, which passed the House by 218-213. The measure locks in funding cuts for six years, allows funds to be diverted away from the neediest students and eliminates critical supports for students with disabilities and English language learners.

“It’s critical that Congress take swift action to replace this outdated law with a system that maintains high standards for student achievement, but provides states and districts with the tools and flexibility they need to help all kids reach their full potential,” DelBene said. “Unfortunately, this bill hurts students and fails to provide adequate funding for our schools, which is why I opposed it. I hope my colleagues in the Senate are able to advance bipartisan legislation that works for our nation’s students, educators and school districts, who deserve better than H.R. 5.”

DelBene offered a bipartisan amendment to H.R. 5 with Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-08) that would have eliminated a provision of the bill that gives funding priority to states without caps on charter school growth. That provision would unfairly penalize Washington state for its voter-approved cap on charter schools. House leaders blocked the amendment from receiving a vote.

Sens. Patty Murray (WA) and Lamar Alexander (TN) are leading bipartisan efforts in the Senate on the long-overdue reauthorization of ESEA. Their bill, the Every Child Achieves Act, passed out of committee in a unanimous vote and is now being considered on the Senate floor.

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