Strength in Diversity Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, for bringing this bill to this Chamber.

I stand here as the chair of the Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion. I have probably spent more hours and time looking into the difference diversity makes, whether it is a small business, whether it is an educational system, whether it is a child.

I remind us to history. In 1960, a little Black girl by the name of Ruby Bridges was denied the right to enter a school--against the Supreme Court of this land--by a Governor.

I stand here on this floor and hear indictments about President Obama. Mr. Speaker, let me say to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, anything that his educational Secretaries did was better than what we have now with Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Let me just say that it is so important when we think about diversity and inclusion and we think about those little children, Black children, marginalized White children.

When I look at the votes for what my colleagues on the other side have said about us--and they don't vote for budgets; they don't vote for funding that can save lives--their arguments are weak. Their arguments are unfounded.

This bill is about equal opportunity. This bill is about removing systemic racism.

We already know that racism is a national crisis. So when I think of housing, when I think about feeding a child, what kind of Member of Congress would stand here against Congresswoman Fudge, Congressman Bobby Scott, who is the chair of this committee and has done more in his lifetime on education than anyone who has been to this microphone on the other side?

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina.

Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, we all want to create the maximum amount of opportunity for our children, regardless of their background. That is why it is unfortunate that this legislation fails to fix the most tragic inequity in our education system: the absence of choice.

The right to a high-quality education is fundamental to the promise of America, and no child should be denied that right because of income or background. Thankfully, President Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to provide that opportunity to all families.

I am proud to have introduced the CHOICE Act, which creates opportunity grants that families can use for private school tuition, microschools, learning pods, and homeschooling costs.

My bill ensures that all families--not just those with the means or those lucky enough to live in a wealthy school district--have access to the best possible education for their child. Giving families this choice is the only way to furnish equal access to the American Dream. Republicans are ready to take this step. If Democrats join us, we can make it a reality.

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