On the recordApril 30, 1998
I rise in opposition of this so- called District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Act. This piece of legislation would put our educational system at risk. Supporters of this bill argue a chance for a better education; however, 93 percent of the students in our Nation's Capital will not benefit from this $45 million bill. There is no evidence that vouchers are an effective way to improve education. In fact, it leaves those students who cannot benefit from this voucher system worse off. Every child in the District of Columbia and across the Nation deserves our assistance for a quality education. I urge my colleagues to listen to the people of our Nation's Capital who want to build their community and not dismantle a public education system of which many of us have been beneficiaries. Make no mistake about it. The Republicans want to dismantle public education in this country and not work to strengthen it.
Source
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