Patty Murray: “I am here today because I strongly believe that Senator Gregg's voucher amendment moves this country and our public…”

“I am here today because I strongly believe that Senator Gregg's voucher amendment moves this country and our public schools in the wrong direction. All of us stand for equal opportunity for all children. This amendment might open doors to a few children, but it would shut them for many others. In the Senate, we are fighting to improve our public schools with resources. This amendment uses public funds to send a few students to private schools rather than investing in schools that serve all of our children. We need to think about the consequences of this voucher amendment. In the bill before us, we are insisting on accountability for the use of Federal funds. This voucher program would funnel taxpayer dollars into schools that are not accountable to the public at all. Beyond lack of accountability, let's remember that private schools don't even have to meet the same academic standards required for all public schools. Not all private schools are created equal. There are a lot of good ones, but there are some with lower quality and lower standards, and our tax dollars would go to them as well with no accountability. Private schools are important. I am not here to speak against private schools. I am here to speak against an amendment that would damage public schools.”