Floor Statements

Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to recognize and honor the life of a dear friend and a true American hero, Mr. John Berlin McCants of Goose Creek, SC.

He served around the world in the U.S. Army for 22 years before retiring in 1975 and settling in Goose Creek with his wife and children. In 1992, he was elected to a seat on the Goose Creek City Council where he served for an outstanding 24 years. John was a lifetime leader with a compassionate spirit. He dedicated so much of his life helping those who cannot help themselves. For that, he will be remembered not only as a devoted public servant , but also an inspiration to so many people around South Carolina.

I can tell you that he certainly had a positive impact on my life. John was my political mentor. He taught me the ABCs of being an effective leader and a public servant who remains committed to the greater good of our State and country.

The A stands for personal accountability. John taught me that, as a Member, I should always be accountable for my decisions and choices. B is for backbone. John once told me that we seldom find that Members have backbones, and that it is critical for me to use it when necessary, to stand up for what is right. C is for common sense. He taught me that it is important to not let fear and political ideology deter me from common sense. These great lessons stick with me everyday as I walk the halls of the U.S. Capitol and make decisions on behalf of South Carolina and the entire Nation.

Simply put, John was a great person and a mentor to many; I am thankful to have known him. He truly did represent the very best of our State. To Christina, his wife, and their wonderful family, John is forever in our hearts, and I would like to add his legacy to our June 20, 2017, Congressional Record.

Mr. President, today we are shaken and encouraged. My prayers remain with my friend Steve Scalise and his family; as well as with Zach Barth, the congressional staffer; Matt Mika, who was volunteering at the baseball field; and the two brave police officers, Crystal Griner and David Bailey.

I have played on the Republican baseball team. I have practiced on that field. I am sure that no one woke up this morning imagining this tragedy was possible, not a single player who woke up this morning and who wanted to make sure they invested their time and their energy in such a way to help nonprofits around the area benefit from drawing a crowd together to watch Republicans and Democrats play baseball for the express and specific benefit of helping those who cannot help themselves.

I am also encouraged today. I am encouraged specifically by law enforcement and, more specifically, the Capitol Police who, because of their swift action, saved lives this morning at the baseball field. Thank you to the men and women who put on the uniform to keep others safe and, as we can tell by the injuries of Crystal and David, put themselves in harm's way.

I am also encouraged that in the midst of this crisis, we have seen our country come together. We have seen this body come together. At noon today, we had a prayer vigil led by Senator Coons, a Democrat, and Senator Lankford, a Republican. We are no longer in the midst of a crisis--Black Americans and White Americans or liberal Americans or conservative Americans, Republicans or Democrats. We are not even swayed by the current environment of sensationalism. No, sir. We are simply Americans, blessed by God to be a part of the American family.

The polarization that pulls on the fabric of this great country is very, very dangerous. Too often, we find ourselves splitting into smaller factions. We stop listening to others' points of view. We react immediately with hostility, doubting the very intentions of folks who do not agree with our perspective. This is very dangerous for our future. We seem to have forgotten how to disagree without being disagreeable, and today's shooting is one of the manifestations of that.

This weekend marks 2 years since the massacre at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, SC--my home--where a racist who wanted to start a race war decided that he could take advantage of the cracks in our foundation, that he could drive to Charleston, SC, and take advantage of those cracks. But the families of the victims, understanding and appreciating the notion of Matthew 5:44--loving those who seem to be our enemies--did not allow their grief and their anger to overpower their senses. They believed in the power of love. They believed that love is more powerful than hate. They believed in each other. And because of their conviction, my city and my State stood together, Black South Carolinians and White South Carolinians, and said to the world: Not in my place, not in my city, not in my State, and not in my houses of worship. We stood together. We did not allow this spirit of oppression and division to separate us. We allowed the power of love to unite us.

So whether it is race or politics, whether it is gender or any other number of ways that we could be divided, we have to--I implore all of us--remember that we are first Americans.

As I think back to the funerals, to the vigils, I think of my good friend from Hawaii. She is not a Christian; she is of another faith. She is not a Republican; she is a Democrat. But she flew down to South Carolina only a couple of days after the massacre because two of her friends--myself and Trey Gowdy--were attending the funerals, attending the first major events. She wanted to worship with us. She wanted to be there with us. This is a classic example of when and how our Nation pulls together, setting aside our differences.

We must work together, ensuring opportunity for all, not profiting from the division in this Nation, not looking for ways to get more clicks on our pages. And why is that? It is simple--because America is stronger than this. America is better than this. We are the American family, and we must let love be the light to show us the way.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today the Awendaw and McClellanville communities will pay tribute to a man known by many as Joseph Elijah ``Buckshot'' Colleton, who departed this life on June 3, 2016.

He was a gentle giant who loved children and cooking. Buckshot served in many capacities in the community, but he is most remembered for his loving spirit towards children. He served the Head Start community for more than 35 years as their bus driver and often referred to Head Start students as all of his children.

When he was not with the children, he was cooking and feeding people at Buckshot's Restaurant in McClellanville. People from all around would visit for a taste of his shrimp and fish dishes and other southern cuisines.

Today we remember the life of Buckshot as loved ones, friends, and other guests come together to pay tribute to a great American and South Carolinian.

Mr. President, in South Carolina, there are approximately 400,000 small businesses operating throughout the State. They represent 97 percent of all employers and have had an amazing impact on the economy. Tactical Medical Solution, TacMed, in Anderson County is certainly a testament to that and epitomizes the very best our State has to offer.

Ross Johnson, a former Army Specials Forces medic, founded TacMed in 2003. Mr. Johnson started the company because he wanted to make sure as many servicemembers made it home as possible. He made it his company's mission to create the best tactical medical equipment available, so our brave men and women in uniform and first responders are better equipped to handle their day-to-day missions. Johnson says that today his company's products help ``the soldier on the battlefield, the officer on patrol, and the civilian caught in an unfortunate situation.''

Over a decade later, TacMed has added 40 jobs to our State's economy and has become one of the largest suppliers of high-quality medical trauma kits and components for the military, law enforcement, and first responders.

In honor of National Small Business Week, as well as Military Appreciation Month, I am excited to recognize Tactical Medical Solutions for helping to keep our bravest citizens safe as they take on dangerous jobs. Whether it is our neighborhoods' first responders or those fighting for our freedoms overseas, TacMed's dedication to saving lives everyday makes me incredibly proud they have decided to call South Carolina home to their growing business.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at 5:20 p.m. today, all postcloture time on the Clayton nomination be considered expired and the Senate proceed to vote on the nomination with no intervening action or debate. I further ask that, if confirmed, the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and that the Senate proceed to a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess as under the previous order.

Mr. President, I have 6 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Committee on Armed Services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled ``Examining the U.S.-EU Covered Agreement.''

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate in order to hold a hearing on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 10 a.m. in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.

Committee on Foreign Relations

The Senate Select Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 10 a.m., to hold a hearing entitled ``Nominations.''

Committee on the Judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., in room SD-226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Committee on Intelligence

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the 115th Congress of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 2 p.m.

Mr. President, we heard famously that elections have consequences, and over the next few days we will have an experiment in what I call ``the physics of politics.''

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. If the Democrats use for the first time a partisan filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee, we will have an equal and opposite reaction. An unprecedented action is going to evoke an unprecedented reaction.

Neil Gorsuch deserves to be confirmed, and I want to share for the next few minutes why. For more than 2 months since the nomination was first announced, we have seen that Judge Neil Gorsuch possesses the qualifications and the temperament to serve as our next Supreme Court Justice.

While all nominations carry enormous responsibility, this is arguably the most important position we are tasked with filling. We need someone who is extraordinarily qualified, someone who will respect the foundation of our country, someone who has the mental resilience to stay above the political fray. Some of my friends on the left have called Judge Gorsuch unqualified, too conservative, and someone who is simply not in the judicial mainstream.

Judge Gorsuch started his legal career by earning degrees from not one, but two Ivy League schools--Columbia University for his undergrad, Harvard Law for his juris doctor, graduating cum laude. Even as a Marshall Scholar, he earned a doctorate degree from Oxford. When one takes into account these extraordinary educational achievements, it would be simply incomprehensible that anyone would consider him unqualified.

His record on the bench is just as impressive. We have heard these numbers so many times that we sometimes just gloss or glaze over these numbers, but these numbers are powerful indicators of how successful he has been as a judge. Out of nearly 2,700 cases, Judge Gorsuch has been overruled only twice--98 percent of his opinions were unanimous, further proving that he falls exactly square in the judicial mainstream. He has received ``well qualified,'' as my Senator from Arkansas just stated a few minutes ago, from the American Bar Association, the highest rating available for a Supreme Court Justice.

Judge Gorsuch is also not new to the nomination process. Just a few years ago, in 2006, Judge Gorsuch was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the Tenth Circuit.

Let me say that one more time because so seldom do we see the Senate acting in a unanimous fashion. This, perhaps, is a moment of reflection that Judge Gorsuch, in just 2006, received a unanimous vote for the Tenth Circuit. Every single Democrat who was serving in the Senate at that time voted in support of Neil Gorsuch, including 12 Members who are still serving in this Chamber today. His bipartisan support has not stopped there.

Senator Bennet from Colorado says that Judge Gorsuch represents the best qualities of Colorado and that we need to fulfill our responsibility to this nominee.

Senator Donnelly, from Indiana, has said: ``I believe he is a qualified jurist who will base his decisions on his understanding of the law and is well respected among his peers.''

From West Virginia, Senator Manchin acknowledged that, while he may not agree with future decisions that will be made by Judge Gorsuch, he also said, without question, that he has ``not found any reason why this jurist should not be a Supreme Court Justice.''

Senator Heitkamp, from North Dakota, said, during her meeting with our Supreme Court nominee, that Judge Gorsuch reinforced the importance of a judiciary that remains independent from the executive and the legislative branches of government.

Neal Katyal, the former Acting Solicitor General under President Obama, said of Gorsuch that he is a first-rate intellect and a fair and decent man. The judge's work reflects his dedication to the rule of law.

Last month, throughout his 3-day confirmation hearing, Judge Gorsuch provided detailed and thoughtful responses that should have answered every concern from committee members. As I watched, I was incredibly impressed with his depth of knowledge, his genuine demeanor, and his obvious respect for the rule of law. He understands that his job is not to make the law. Let me repeat that because this seems to be an unusual experience--at least it has been for me--to hear that a judge understands and appreciates that his job is not to make the law, that his job is not to alter the law but, as he expressed time and again, that he is committed to interpreting the law as it is written.

One of his most memorable comments from his hearing has left a lasting impression on me, and I hope it does on you as well.

He said:

A judge who likes every result he reaches is very likely a

bad judge, reaching for results he prefers rather than those

the law compels.

In one sentence, Judge Gorsuch eloquently summarized what we should expect from our Supreme Court Justices, and it also gives insight into how he intends to serve once confirmed.

After his extensive and exhaustive hearing, we clearly see, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this man is more than qualified for the appointment. Any argument to the contrary is based purely on political opposition.

Today, the Senate stands on the verge of breaking historical precedence. We have let political disagreements get in the way of a judicial seat--a nomination that should stand far above political rancor.

A year ago, Judge Gorsuch was serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He had no idea that he would find himself in the midst of a partisan battle. There is no question that this man has led an exemplary life and deserves a fair vote.

We are, simply, asking for a fair vote--a vote. Let us move past these political games and confirm a man who has earned this position, with a nearly flawless record, as one of the brightest judicial minds our country has to offer.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, just in the very few spaces that are left after we finish chatting about our great State and the great season our school had, there are two things I want to note. No. 1, Coach Frank Martin: coach of the year, a fantastic person, a great communicator, a strong, disciplined coach. It is very hard to misunderstand what he is saying.

Coach Staley: Absolutely, positively, unequivocally the best women's basketball coach, in my opinion, ever, against UCONN--ever. Dawn Staley, 20 years ago, came within a single point of winning a national championship as a player. Can you just imagine being a single point short? And this must feel like redemption for our coach.

We are so proud of the fact that both of our coaches are producing student athletes, learning academically, striving on courts but prepared for life, for living. So we are excited about that.

I want to note as well that there have only been 10 times in NCAA history--10 times--that both the women's and the men's basketball teams from the same school were in the Final Four at the same time.

It is a good time to be a South Carolinian.

I am aware of that. And that is relevant to you how?

Will the Senator yield for a question?

What State are you from, sir?

In what part of Florida were you born and raised?

Have you had any relationship with the coach before, Senator?

Having been there when you were in South Florida, I would say we made a big contribution to you too.

Mr. President, if my colleague will yield, I would note that Senator Graham did have clarity in his purpose of identifying the fact that the State has only 4.7 million people in a country of 330 million people, and we have been able to secure the No. 1 golfer, that is true; the No. 1 baseball team, that is true; and the No. 1 football team in all of the Nation, Clemson University, that is true; and now the women's basketball champions, and that is true as well. However, I would point out that we were able to show you a wonderful experience as well in the State of South Carolina, and I hope that one day when you retire from politics, you and your lovely wife will join us and become a South Carolinian yourself. Perhaps then, and only then, will you be a successful football coach. You have a promising career in politics, but I know that you love and have passion for football, and perhaps when you retire, you too will be a national champion football coach.

I am serious----

Before Senator Rubio walks off the floor, having had the opportunity to listen to him over a number of years, he is eloquent. He is inspiring. Sometimes he is just dead wrong. Coach Martin will be staying at the University of South Carolina, without any question at all.

Let me put the suspicions to rest. The reality of it is that good teams are made up of good recruiting. The fact that we have great recruiters in the State of South Carolina is indicative of the fact that we have a lot of titles in our State.

So I will be praying for the Senator's State to succeed during the hurricane season, without any question, and to be consistently behind the State of South Carolina in every athletic event in which we have a competition, wherever there is a competition.

Rule XIX.

In a decade. Thank you.

Mr. President, I would like to congratulate and honor Robert ``Bob'' G. Smith, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina--GWILSC--for 35 years of serving our great State.

Bob's dedication and passion has been a true testament to GWILSC's mission to ``helping people reach their full potential through the dignity and power of work.'' He has inspired and instilled confidence by promoting essential job training programs that have encouraged individuals to meet their goals.

His service has touched many people all over the South Carolina community, and his initiative to orchestrate a collaborative environment has helped to expand services that has transformed lives.

For more than three decades, Bob has worked tirelessly to serve others, and his contributions will continue to live on in the generations of South Carolinians he has been able to positively impact, and we are grateful for everything Bob has done to assist our communities. Therefore, I would like to recognize Robert ``Bob'' G. Smith for epitomizing the very best of the Palmetto State.

Mr. President, today, I would like to honor and thank Mr. Craddock Morris of St. Matthews, SC for 87 years of valuable reporting in Calhoun County. The Calhoun Times, a small weekly paper in our great state, has decided to cease publication after a truly amazing run of nearly nine decades of providing town residents with community news.

The Times was created by Craddock Morris's father in 1929. John Bunyan Morris, Sr., a 1950 graduate of The Citadel, ran it until his retirement in 1956, when Craddock took over. Although this local newspaper, based in St. Matthews, will no longer be published, I am sure the Morris family's legacy of good work will remain with residents all over Calhoun County.

I would like to recognize Mr. Craddock Morris, and his son Edwin C. Morris who joined the Times after serving in the Armed Forces, and their families for 87 years of delivering essential news to the people of Calhoun County.

Mr. President, I rise today to say thank you. Republicans and Democrats have been talking for a long time this week, and perhaps that is productive. But without any question, from what we have seen, I think both sides would agree that the support cast has made this possible. I think it is important for us to pause for just a moment and say thank you.

We have pages who are juniors in high school here with us around the clock, and we want to say thank you to the pages. I think about the fact that we have law enforcement guarding this place so we can be here safely, all night long. We have Parliamentarians and clerks who have been at their places on and off over the last 4 days, nearly around the clock. I want to say on behalf of our side and the Democrats, I believe we all are very thankful and appreciative for your long hours and the time you have served us. Thank you for helping us represent the American people.

I would also like to point out a few people by name because these folks have been here for up to 57 hours straight--57 consecutive hours of doing their jobs. Captioning services: Sandra Schumm, Brenda Jameson, Doreen Chendorian, Jennifer Smolka, and Laurie Harris.

Official Reporters of Debates, 57 consecutive hours of work: Patrick Renzi, Susie Nguyen, Julia Jones, Mary Carpenter, Patrice Boyd, Octavio Colominas, Alice Haddow, Andrea Huston, Carole Darche, Desirae Jura, Megan McKenzie, Wendy Caswell, Diane Dorhamer, Mark Stuart, and Julie Bryan.

On behalf of a thankful Senate, we appreciate your time and your dedication to the American people, allowing us to do what we have been doing.

God bless.

Madam President, I yield 30 minutes of my time during the debate of Congressman Price to Senator Hatch.

Yes, sir.

Mr. President, I appreciate the time.

I think we have had a very interesting debate on Betsy DeVos and frankly on public education. Listening to my friends on the left, I have been encouraged, encouraged because I am excited that for the first time in a very long time, we are actually having a conversation about the important role of public education in America. This is a necessary component to success in life.

I have been inspired, inspired by Senators who have spoken eloquently and passionately about the importance of our public education system, the challenges they fear might come with the appointment of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education.

I have also been disappointed and frustrated by some of the statements made by my friends on the other side. What this is not, what this should not be is a partisan issue. This is not an issue of Republicans versus Democrats. That is not what this is about. This is not even a political issue, nor is this an issue about teachers.

I, for one, am so very thankful for incredible teachers. I think of Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. Greenberg, my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Wynn--God bless her soul. I was a handful. I think of Coach Roberts and Mr. White. We called him Mighty White, Mr. White. What an amazing English teacher I had in my senior year. Ms. Barry and Ms. Myers, wonderful Spanish teachers.

This is not about teachers. It is not necessarily about Betsy DeVos, not even Betsy DeVos. For me, the issue is simply an issue of quality education. I will, without any question, have a very specific conversation on Betsy DeVos. For me, however, this is simply about quality education and how we get there.

My story is familiar to many people in this Chamber. I have spoken about it a number of times. I will tell you that my entire time in the Senate--the 4 years I have been here--I have been talking consistently about the power of education and the necessity of quality education. I call it the opportunity agenda.

The opportunity agenda, which has been my focus for the last 4 years, focuses first on education, making sure that every single ZIP Code in America has a quality choice for education. This is so important to me.

As a poor kid growing up in a single-parent household, I was not doing very well. From 7 to 14, I drifted in the wrong direction. As a freshman in high school, I basically flunked out. I failed world geography. I may be the first Senator to fail civics. I even failed Spanish and English. When you fail Spanish and English, no one considers you bilingual, no one. They did call me, by the way, ``bi- ignant'' because I could not speak in any language, and that is where I found my unhappy self.

I have two major blessings in my life: a wonderful mother who believed in my future, who encouraged me, who inspired me, who did everything necessary to try to keep me on the right track, and I had a powerful mentor.

I am so thankful that during the hardest times of my life, I found myself in the position to receive a quality education, and I learned from my sophomore year forward to take advantage of that positive, strong opportunity for a quality education, but that was not always the case.

I remember by the time I was in the fourth grade, I had gone to four different elementary schools because there is something transient about poverty. So we moved around some. Picking the right school was difficult, challenging. So, for me, when I think about this topic, when I hear my friends on the left, when I think about the debate around the Nation, this is simply a clear debate and discussion around education. It changed my life for the better.

I will tell you, this is not a Republican or a Democratic issue. Both Republicans and Democrats around this Nation--maybe not in this Chamber but around this Nation--support Betsy DeVos to be the next Secretary of Education, and that is good news.

Let me just talk for a few minutes about Betsy DeVos. I have listened to the concerns as we have heard from the Senator from Pennsylvania. Tens of thousands of folks have called the offices of all Senators, to include mine. I have been on the phone, answering the phone in my office so I could have a chance to chat with my constituents who called in from inside the State. I certainly had a ton of calls from outside the State.

Here are some of the concerns I heard from my constituents that I know were serious concerns and important parts of the conversation. One serious concern was the lack of experience she has.

I will tell you, she brings with her a fresh set of eyes; that, yes, she has no official experience, but she has invested the last 28 years of her life in improving public education. She has supported, without any question, the creation of public charter schools.

I had the privilege of speaking at a charter school in Michigan started by Betsy DeVos and her husband 3 or 4 years ago, an aviation high school that focuses on making sure the students are prepared to be competent and to qualify for good jobs in the aviation transportation sector. It is a phenomenal school. I enjoyed my interaction with the kids.

I will tell you that not only has she spent the last 28 years in public education, not only has she spent millions of her own money focusing on education, but she has a set of fresh eyes. I will explain to you in a few minutes why that is so important if we are going to improve the quality of education experienced in the rural areas, like West Virginia or in South Carolina, as well as the inner cities, from Chicago to Detroit and parts of South Carolina as well. So that will be an important part of the conversation as we move forward.

The second thing I have heard from my constituents that I think is really important is that she doesn't support accountability equally for charter schools and other public schools.

I had a chance to talk to Betsy DeVos, and I would not support her if she was not going to treat all the schools the same as it relates to accountability. That is important, and that is a place where she has been crystal clear, from my perspective.

The third issue I have heard is that supporting Betsy DeVos will somehow ruin public education. I will tell you, I have had the chance to sit down and chat with her about the role of public education. She agrees with many on our side of the aisle, when she said very clearly, she supports public education. She supports quality public education. She supports charter schools. She supports school choice.

I do not believe there is a binary choice between public education and school choice. I think that is not an accurate description that we face. I think she will help to improve public education.

One of my friends on the left said that public education is a right, but for too many of our children quality public education is not. It is simply not happening.

I will tell you, as I think about the numbers around this concept, I look at those schools around the Nation that

meet or exceed our national standard in the area of English or language arts.

In my home State, in the county where I was born, Charleston County, if you break it down--and this is a debate that has become a debate so often about where you live and what you look like so I wanted to break it down by the demographics I have heard so often from my friends on the left because these are important demographics. It is very important for us to understand and appreciate the necessity of improving quality education for all of our students.

I see in Charleston County meeting or exceeding the English standards that we have set, that 78 percent of our White kids are doing just fine in meeting and/or exceeding those national standards, but, unfortunately, only 24.4 percent of our Black students meet or exceed those standards. I heard that of the Hispanic students in Charleston County, only 27.7 percent meet or exceed those standards.

I will tell you that if you think about where we are, as a nation, on the issue of public education and if you drive into some of the inner cities, like Chicago or Detroit or Philadelphia, you have to ask yourself: What is the experience of that child in public education? Because I think this is the central debate for our country. It is around education because a poor education has a strong correlation with our incarceration rates. A poor education has a strong correlation with high unemployment rates. A poor education has a correlation with low lifetime income.

So the importance of the issue of quality education--particularly in those places in our country that seem to be under tremendous stress--we should drill into the numbers so we can appreciate what the future looks like for those kids. This is such an important issue.

In Chicago, 65 percent of our majority students meet or exceed the standard in English or language arts, but only 22 percent of our African-American kids meet or exceed the standards; 29 percent of our Hispanic kids in Chicago meet or exceed the standards.

What are the numbers in Detroit? Well, in Detroit, only 13 percent of our majority students meet or exceed those English standards; 9 percent--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 percent--of the African-American kids meet or exceed those standards; 12.5 percent of our Hispanic kids meet or exceed those standards. Just correlate those numbers to the incarceration rates, to the employment rates, to the lifetime income rates, and to the rate of hopelessness in those communities.

I know we are having a debate about the Secretary of Education. It is an important debate, but a more important debate centers around the educational experience of our students all over this Nation and what that means long term for this Nation and for the students and for our communities all over the country.

Philadelphia is another place. For 53 percent--barely half of the majority students--meet or exceed the standards; 24 percent of African- American students and 23 percent of Hispanic students meet or exceed the standards.

What does that mean? That means that while we are having a debate about education, while we are having a debate about Betsy DeVos, maybe it is not about Betsy DeVos. Maybe it is not about the great teachers I have had and others have had. We should all celebrate quality public education. I do. I am a tremendous supporter of it, but there is a place in this Nation--from Appalachia, the rural areas in West Virginia, the rural areas of South Carolina, inner cities that I have just named--where a quality education is not the norm. As a matter of fact, the exact opposite is the norm, and that means we all will pay a hefty price, not financially because that is secondary. We lose human potential when it is not developed, and that is a travesty, one that we can ill afford as a nation.

While I am seriously concerned about our debate on Betsy DeVos and I am seriously concerned about public education, I am very concerned about the quality outcomes not being experienced by our rural kids and our inner-city kids, and far too often we forget to have a debate about the children in the system. We have a debate about the system, we have a debate about the Secretary of the system, but we haven't thoroughly vetted the accomplishments or the lack of accomplishments within that system. So we ought not cast a shadow over all public education. We should, however, illuminate or cast a bright light into problem areas and look for options to improve the outcome for those kids not only trapped in a failing system but for the rest of their lives playing catchup. That is where our focus should be.

We have heard a whole lot of hyperbole about what the next Secretary of Education can do, as if that person could somehow with a magic wand change education. That is patently false. It would take action by this Congress to have that happen. The reality of it is that while it is an important position, she cannot act unilaterally, and the one commitment that I made sure I had from her--she viewed the world of education in the same paradigm as I do, which is we don't want a top-down approach to education; we actually want school districts and local communities and counties and States to lead the charge, because about $550 billion that supports public education doesn't come from the Federal Government, it comes from the States and the local school districts. That is where the decisions should be made.

I am a supporter of school choice; however, it would just be an option under the best-case scenario where States would have more options at the cafeteria. I don't want to mandate and she is not going to be able to mandate school choice. That will be our decision, and I have decided I don't want to make it happen. I want to give the States and the local school districts the opportunity to make their own decisions, which does lead me, of course, to my support and her support of school choice.

I would submit that most of us in this Nation support school choice. I know that is a controversial statement and one you have to back up with facts. Here is a fact: The fact is that we as a nation consistently support school choice. It is called a Pell grant. A Pell grant is a Federal subsidy that oftentimes goes to private schools-- colleges. Unfortunately, many kids who do not meet or exceed the standards in English, math, and science will never experience the Pell grant because they don't go on to a 2-year or a 4-year education. They don't go to a technical school or to a college. They don't find themselves experiencing what we as a Federal Government provide--a clear and specific option to take your Federal dollars to your private colleges.

We all seem to support school choice; we just don't seem to support it for those kids trapped in failing school districts and underperforming schools. Those kids will not see the Pell grants so often. Too often, too many of those kids will not see a Pell grant, which is absolutely, positively, unequivocally school choice.

I will state that I am hopeful. I am hopeful because I believe that men and women in this Chamber are sincere and serious about the debate around public education. And I will tell you there are reasons to believe that in spite of the dismal performance that I have read, there are reasons to be hopeful that the future for those kids in public education can get better--significantly better.

As I wrap up my comments, let me reflect upon what is possible for kids who were underperforming to become high-achieving. So often we label those kids as at-risk kids. I prefer to call them high-potential kids. There are examples in this Nation where those kids who were performing so poorly, according to the third grade statistics, around meeting or exceeding expectations, according to ESSA, those kids, later in life and in different programs and in New York City specifically, are doing incredibly well. Let me give a couple of examples, and I will close with this good news and more to be continued later this morning.

There is a group of schools called Success Academies which are public charter schools that are performing at the highest levels in the State of New York. Here is the good news: These kids are 87 percent African American and Hispanic. And I went through the numbers earlier--dismal numbers meeting or exceeding standards in English. The numbers are very similar in math. They are very similar in science. But here is what is possible: In all the New York State schools, the top-performing schools in the State--

looking at their performance, 94 percent success rate in math, 82 percent in English, 99 percent in science. To break those numbers down as I did earlier with the African-American and Hispanic students, in math, here is how you reverse the achievement gap: 93 percent of African-American Success Academy scholars outperform the majority of students in New York City. Eighty percent of them are African Americans and 80 percent of them are Hispanic. They are at 80 percent.

You see, Mr. President, with the right focus, with the right emphasis, with options like a cafeteria, when parents have a choice, the students have a chance not just in education but a better chance in life.

Thank you, Mr. President.