Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) vowed that passing his bill to end the “national school board” President Obama has established if Republicans take control of the Senate.
Several vulnerable Democrats are seeking reelection in red states. Republicans need to gain six seats in order to become the majority party.
Alexander is the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee — if the Senate flips he would become chairman. He has introduced the Every Child Ready for College or Career Act, which would eliminate some federal curriculum requirements in order to give local school boards more autonomy.
“Last year, Democrats refused to pass the bill,” Alexander said Wednesday. “Next year, if I am chairman of the Senate Education Committee, it will be my top priority. We will return to states and local school boards all decisions about academic standards, curriculum and evaluation of teachers.”
Republicans on the committee support his legislation, but Democrats voted against it.