Chuck Grassley: “the issue before us is not just the city government of Washington, DC, because that general issue is not what is holding…”

“the issue before us is not just the city government of Washington, DC, because that general issue is not what is holding up this legislation. The issue is whether or not the children of the District of Columbia ought to have a better education and a better educational system. And if that educational system does not evolve, then that the poor of the District of Columbia would have the same opportunity as the rich of the District of Columbia to make sure their children have an equal educational opportunity. And that revolves around whether or not school vouchers ought to be available to the poor of Washington, DC, so that they can have then the same educational opportunities as the rich of this city who choose to send their children to private schools. Now, I have not historically promoted the wholesale move to school vouchers because I have in the past only supported a limited demonstration program that would provide school vouchers to poor families that reside in troubled school districts. Obviously, the District of Columbia falls into that category. But it is certainly an idea, the idea of school vouchers, that deserves a chance. And more importantly, it may give many poor children in the District of Columbia a chance for a better education. How ironic. We have been told that the President's advisers may suggest a veto. How ironic that this very same President, when he was Governor of Arkansas, supported a voucher program.”