Chris Dodd: “In regard to the issue of the vouchers, obviously the States and localities can do what they want. But we are talking…”

“In regard to the issue of the vouchers, obviously the States and localities can do what they want. But we are talking about our Federal involvement here. We prohibit the use of the Federal funds, of our money, Federal money, if you will, to go for the voucher system. I just suggest that, if we are going to put people to work as we should, and if for some reason States are unable to meet those standards, then those children, whatever else you want to do with the adults, ought to have a safety net. The voucher ought to be a system they can use to provide for that safety net. We say that States ought to be able to provide that. The bill by the majority prohibits it. Obviously, we cannot stop a State from doing what it wants, but why would we prohibit them from using these moneys?”