Frank Pallone: “just two weeks ago Speaker Gingrich forced this House to pass a publicly-financed private school voucher program in the…”

“just two weeks ago Speaker Gingrich forced this House to pass a publicly-financed private school voucher program in the D.C. appropriations bill. This provision initially failed to pass the House, but the Speaker held the vote open and basically twisted his fellow Republicans' arms to change their vote. In spite of this near failure, Speaker Gingrich will take another step at cutting public education. He will bring to the floor this week another bill to pour taxpayer dollars into private and religious schools. It is called an education savings account, but would primarily benefit wealthy families. Democrats have an alternative that would use the money for school construction bonds to help public schools that are in disrepair or in need of new construction. Mr. Speaker, let us improve public education rather than siphon Federal dollars for private schools. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues: Do not give up on the public schools.”