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September 15, 2000

Reid's Accusations False

GOP Senate Has Devoted One-Fifth of This Year to Education

Minority Whip Harry Reid has falsely accused the Senate leadership of running away from education issues [Congressional Record, 9/13/00, S8440]:

I regret to say instead of making education a central issue, and even a high priority, we have had only 6 days of debate on education this entire year on the Senate floor. . . . It is very obvious to me one thing the majority does not want to go on is a debate about education . . . We need to focus on education. We are not going to in this Congress. That is gone.

On the contrary, this year the Senate has devoted every fifth in-session day -- and every fifth vote -- to education issues. The biggest reason the Senate couldn't spend more time on education last year was its constitutionally imposed duty to try William Jefferson Clinton on articles of impeachment for perjury and obstruction of justice.

Education Issues in the Senate	1999 (2/23 - 11/19)	2000 (2/1 - 9/12)	106th Congress (thru 9/12/00)
Days in Session	142	99	241
Education Days	24 (17 percent)	22 (22 percent)	46 (19 percent)
Roll Call Votes	355	240	595
Education Votes	47 (13 percent)	52 (22 percent)	101 (17 percent)
Impeachment Days/Votes (not included in above totals)	20/19	--	20/19

Senator Reid argues "the majority controls what goes on here on the floor." Hopefully, he will return to the floor and thank the Republican leadership for devoting over one-fifth of this year to education.

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