Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D. (TN-04) released the following statement after voting against S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):

"Unfortunately, this legislation fails to sufficiently curtail excessive government overreach in our nation's school system. Rather than returning control of education back to the state and local level, this bill continues with the misguided policy of allowing Washington bureaucrats to make decisions affecting children's education that should be left to parents and teachers. Tennessee educators know best when it comes to creating curriculums that will ensure our children are receiving a quality education. Therefore, we should be empowering those individuals that understand the unique needs of students in their communities."