Senator John Ensign, Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, today made the following statement in response to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's comment that it is a mistake to take kids out of schools where they are happy, safe and satisfied when asked about the District's voucher program:
"I'm very pleased to see that the Obama Administration believes it is a mistake for Democrats to end the federal voucher program in the District of Columbia. I have fought hard for low-income children to have a better education and to allow their parents the choice of where to educate their children. I hope Senate and House Democrats are listening."
Background information on the Secretary's comments: School chief: DC kids should keep school vouchers (Associated Press)
Senator Ensign's amendment would provide a lifeline to this program and keep students in the schools they prefer. It strikes the language in the Democrats' omnibus spending bill that prohibits funding after the 2009-10 school year, a move to kill the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. Ensign's amendment ensures that low-income families in D.C. are provided with the opportunity to send their children to a private school, just like President Obama has selected for his children.