What Capitol Hill Folks Are Saying

“If Congress were to discontinue funding for D.C. opportunity scholarships, it is estimated that 86 percent of the students would be reassigned to schools that do not meet “adequate yearly progress” goals in reading and math. We should not allow that to happen.”

-Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, “Opening Statement,” 5/13/09

“As Congress debates reauthorization of the [DC Opportunity Scholarship] program, I am happy today to hear testimony from the parents, teachers, and most importantly, students, involved in the program. Their voices will provide us with the invaluable empirical evidence needed to inform the debate. “

-Senator George V. Voinovich, Member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, “Opening Statement,” 5/13/09

“Those who can afford to send their children to private schools when they are dissatisfied with the public schools their children would otherwise go to, do so for obvious reasons: to provide their children with the best education available. They do so as good parents who care about their children’s future. Why should we deny that opportunity to lower income parents who also want the best future for their children? In America it should not be a privilege for any of our children to get a first rate education. In my opinion it is a right, although often a right that is not honored. Without an equal education for all there cannot be equality for all, the kind of equality that our founding documents promised.”

-Joseph I. Lieberman, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, “Opening Statement,” 5/13/09