Political Quotes

“As the Senate today again attempts to limit debate on H.R. 2546, the fiscal year 1996 District of Columbia appropriations bill, I would like to address what seems to be the principal roadblock to Senate approval. That issue is the proposed discretionary educational voucher program. The conference report on H.R. 2546 would authorize school vouchers for as many as 1,500 low-income children at up to $3,000 each. These vouchers could be used for one of two purposes: Either for supplemental educational services such as remedial training after school, or as tuition scholarships to assist with the costs of private education. As proposed, the voucher demonstration is not mandated. It is authorized first as a choice for the District of Columbia Council. No voucher program could go forward until it was approved by the District government. Furthermore, should the District decide to implement the voucher demonstration, the D.C. Council could specify the type of vouchers which would be available. For instance, all of the demonstration funds could be targeted to supplemental educational services with no tuition assistance alternative. Mr. President, this legislation respects home rule by giving the D.C. government the discretion to choose the type of program it may wish to provide, or reject the program outright. It would also give up to 1,500 D.C. families the ability to make important choices to improve their children's education.”