Rick Allen: “I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding and for his work on this important legislation. As a proud member of the…”

“I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding and for his work on this important legislation. As a proud member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I rise today in support of H.R. 4901, the Scholarship for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act, also known as the SOAR Act. This legislation would reauthorize the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to low-income students so they may attend a D.C. private school of their parents' choice. School choice is an effective tool that has proven to be successful in Washington, D.C. These scholarships have resulted in a 90 percent graduation rate, which is simply outstanding. I congratulate them on this. Both of my parents were educators who instilled in me the importance of a good education, and I believe we should extend this opportunity to those who might not otherwise have it. God created every child to be unique. As such, this legislation gives opportunities to students to receive an education chosen by their parents, those who know their child's needs best. I encourage my colleagues to stand up in support of school choice and the SOAR Act to empower both parents and the students.”