Beyond the Dome

It turns out the Iraq war isn't the only thing Hillary Rodham Clinton criticizes as a presidential candidate, but supported as a senator.

During Wednesday night's Democratic presidential candidates debate in Philadelphia, Clinton said she would "end" the No Child Left Behind education law because it doesn't do enough to help disadvantaged children. In an exchange on affirmative action, Clinton said she supports a broader goal: to "try to give more opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, whoever they are."

"That's why I'm against No Child Left Behind as it is currently operating, and I would end it, because we can do so much better to have an education system that really focuses in on kids who need extra help," Clinton said.

When the Senate passed the legislation in 2001, however, Clinton was one of its biggest boosters.

It was her first year in the Senate, and as a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Clinton was deeply involved in the debates over the bill, from start to finish. She wasn't one of the key negotiators, but she was involved enough to get one of her provisions into the law -- a measure to allow federal funds to be used to recruit high-quality teachers and principals.

When the Senate approved the final version of the bill, Clinton praised it not only for the teachers provision, but also for its increase in federal aid to New York schools.

"Passing this landmark legislation sends a clear message that all American children deserve a world class education. The education funding included in the bill could not come at a better time for hard-pressed school districts throughout New York," Clinton said in a  December 2001 press release after the Senate approved the final version.

"As we continue to set high expectations for students, we must provide them with the resources they need to help them on their way. And I'm proud that this legislation does just that for New York City -- by providing nearly $176 million dollars in new funds for the city's students."