National Affairs: School's Out

Who killed the school bill?

"Not I," said the Democrat. "Fifty-seven percent of us voted for it."

"Not I," said the Republican. "It was a combination of things."

"Not I," said the President. "I'm greatly disappointed."

No stronger plank was nailed into the Republican platform last fall than a G.O.P. resolution to provide more classrooms for overcrowded U.S. schools. Faced by a 159,000-room shortage last year—and more to come—the Administration proposed to provide the states with $1.3 billion during the next four years in grants distributed on the basis of need. Against strong opposition from the...