Statement by House Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH) on

President Bush's 2006 State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH) tonight issued the following statement regarding President Bush's 2006 State of the Union address.

“Tonight, in his State of the Union address, the President reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the concerns of American families.  Whether it’s confronting terror abroad or strengthening our competitiveness here at home, he outlined a broad vision of an America that is dynamic, compassionate, and hopeful.

“When the President said tonight that we must continue to lead the world in human talent and creativity, I could not agree more.  With an increasingly mobile workforce and a rapidly expanding global marketplace, it is critical for workers to have the education and skills necessary to adapt to new opportunities.  Education is the very foundation of our future economic success.  The No Child Left Behind Act is continuing to demonstrate success in many urban school districts across the nation.  For the first time ever, taxpayers can be assured that they will be able to track the return on their multi-billion dollar annual investment in public education, and schools are being held accountable for the quality of education they are delivering to our nation’s students.  While the early results of NCLB have been positive for elementary and middle schools, I have opposed efforts to expand the law into high schools because such an expansion would endanger the current progress being made in implementing NCLB, and I continue to have this concern.

“In order to strengthen our long-term competitiveness, we also must ensure that the federal government gets its financial house in order.  That means taking bold steps to rein in runaway entitlement spending, as well as committing to real budget reform.  I’m encouraged the President highlighted this issue in his speech, and I hope Congress answers his call for reform.  Our children and grandchildren will be placed at a distinct competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace if they are saddled with the debts left behind by our generation.

“The years ahead are colored in shades of hope and opportunity.  We can do as the President has suggested, and face our challenges head on with courage and confidence.  Or we can sit quietly, and leave our troubles for another generation.  As for me, I’m with the President.”

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