 |
D.C. School Choice Bill Could Get House Vote Next Week
| Source: |
|
washingtonpost.com |
| Date: |
|
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 |
| Author: |
|
Ben Pershing |
A bill to revive the District’s Opportunity Scholarship Program could get a vote on the House floor as early as next week.
The measure — a top priority of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) — is tentatively scheduled for a vote next Wednesday, depending on what other bills get added to the agenda, according to the office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.).
Created in 2004 by Boehner and a handful of other lawmakers, the program provides money for low-income District students to attend private schools. Many scholarship recipients have used the funds to attend D.C. Catholic schools, which Boehner has long supported. Democrats moved to close the program to new entrants in 2009, and only students who already had scholarships continue to receive them now.
...
The scholarship program has divided local leaders. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) has spoken out strongly against it, and Mayor Vincent Gray (D) is also opposed. Council Chairman Kwame Brown (D) supports the program, as do former mayors Anthony Williams (D) and Marion Barry (D).
Though the bill is likely to pass in the House, it probably won’t get a standalone vote in the Senate, where Democratic leaders are opposed. But it will be a factor in broader education reform negotiations between Congress and the White House.
###
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-wire/post/dc_school_c hoice_bill_could_get_house_vote_next_week/2011/03/22/ABNbCaEB_blog.html?wprss=dc-wire
Print Friendly 
|
|
