Jeff Flake: “I rise today against many of the tenets of this bill that we have before us, the D.C. bill, because I think it does take…”

“I rise today against many of the tenets of this bill that we have before us, the D.C. bill, because I think it does take away basic responsibilities of government, of people to govern themselves and pay their taxes, and they ought to be given the same privileges as any other municipality in this Nation. However, I also rise because I have heard my name mentioned on several occasions during this debate, and I came over from my office because I think it is imperative, as one who has stood in favor of vouchers, that at least I state my position for the record in this House. Mr. Chairman, I think it is important for us to understand, as far as I am concerned, and let me give my credentials so those that wonder if I have a right to even speak on education, I spent 7 years in higher education as a dean at Boston University and at Lincoln University. I have started my own school 15 years ago, pre-K to eighth grade. So I think I have some understanding of the educational process here.”