We simply cannot afford to waste time and money on critical programs that do not produce results.

Mr. Chairman, first let me thank you for convening this hearing today and also for your very eloquent statement, which sums up why we are here today.

These stories help us understand the real world implications of cutting off this promising program.

I want to reinforce what the Chairman said.

Experts have carefully studied the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program and have concluded that the educational success of the program's participants in reading has outpaced those in the District's public schools.

The program's popularity is illustrated by the long line of parents waiting to enroll their children.

I also join the Chairman in welcoming David Heyman as the nominee to be the Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security.

Which is another reason for continuing the program to assess its impact because you are going to have that adjustment year, as you pointed out.

Today's hearing on the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program allows the Committee to consider the merits of a program that has provided additional educational options for some of our Nation's most at-risk children.

So their future does not look as bright as yours does as the result of your having this opportunity.

Unfortunately, the $12 million provided for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program would only allow currently enrolled students to remain in the program.

I do not know how anyone who looks at the evidence and hears the testimony we have heard today could vote otherwise than to extend this important program.

Sadly, D.C.'s public schools continue to underperform despite an expenditure per pupil rate that is the third-highest in the Nation.

Sadly, the District's public schools continue to underperform despite an expenditure per pupil rate that is the third highest in the Nation.

I am also very concerned that the organizational structure may ignore the fact that 85 percent of critical infrastructure is in private hands.

Most people do not realize that the Department of Homeland Security has a large international role.

NTEU supported an amendment offered by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), to the fiscal year 2010 budget resolution, to…

the President's proposed budget would provide no funding for polar icebreakers.