Mike Pence: “I thank the distinguished chairman for yielding and for his leadership on this issue, which is near and dear to my…”

“I thank the distinguished chairman for yielding and for his leadership on this issue, which is near and dear to my heart, as it is to the hearts of thousands upon thousands of families in the District of Columbia. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in opposition to the Norton funding amendment. The gentlewoman and I have worked together on occasion on issues, and I know her devotion to the District of Columbia. But we will just have to respectfully disagree on this issue, because I simply believe that the Scholarships for Opportunities and Results Act represents the continuation of one of the most important programs that I have had the privilege of being a part of here in Washington, D.C. Now, there is a suggestion that this legislation takes money away from the public schools. But I think, as we have heard in this debate, because of the three-sector approach created by the original authorizing legislation, District public schools and public charter schools have received over one-quarter of $1 billion in additional direct Federal payments since 2004. Both DCPS and the charter schools will continue to receive increased Federal dollars under this legislation. So the old arguments against giving students and parents more choices because it denies funding to public schools don't even attach here on the facts. But beyond that, let me say the reason why I felt the need to come to the floor today.…”