Political Quotes

“Today the House will vote on H.R. 471, a bill to make Congress the de-facto School Board for the District of Columbia. This legislation, introduced without a hint of irony by self-proclaimed small-government conservatives, would authorize $60 million in federal taxpayer subsidies for private schools in the District of Columbia. The same party that just cut $1.2 billion in Head Start funding for Americans across the country will readily transfer tax money from all Americans to the District of Columbia. Moreover, the concern expressed today for District of Columbia students rings hollow in light of the Republicans' repeal of voting rights of the Delegate from the District of Columbia, which occurred in the first vote this session. Thus, this legislation is hypocritical on three levels, as it represents federal intrusion in local affairs, a federal spending increase in D.C. in contrast to nationwide education funding cuts, and disingenuous concern for the welfare of D.C. residents. Although H.R. 471 is blatantly inconsistent with Republicans' alleged fealty to fiscal conservativism and federalism, it is quite consistent with Republicans' ideologically driven efforts to unravel public education. This bill is not about providing educational alternatives for students: It is about defunding public schools and gutting teachers' unions. Does this sound familiar?…”