Powerful Dem Chairman Urges DC Schools to Prepare for the End of the Opportunity Scholarship Program that has Served Thousands of Students in the Nation's Capital 

Contact: Republican Leader Press Office, 202-225-4000

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /Standard Newswire/ -- During his speech to a joint session of Congress last night, President Obama detailed "the urgent need to expand the promise of education in America."  Was Congress listening?  The answer will become clearer today when Members on both sides of the aisle have the opportunity to vote on a measure, which - according to a Washington Post editorial today - includes "an ill-disguised bid to kill a program that gives some poor parents a choice regarding where their children go to school."

At issue is the half-trillion dollar "omnibus" spending bill, which is loaded with more and more Washington spending at a time of record-high deficits.  But the legislation also includes some dramatic and controversial policy changes as well - including the effort to kill the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program.  In fact, the Washington Examiner reports today that the powerful Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee has already urged Washington school officials to begin taking steps to shut down the program - a sure sign of the Democrats' true intentions:

"Explaining the legislation in a written statement, appropriations Chairman David R. Obey, D-Wis., urged D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee to 'promptly take steps to minimize potential disruption and ensure smooth transition' for voucher recipients who must re-enroll in the [DC public schools]."

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) highlighted the thousands of underprivileged children who have been served by this innovative school choice program - children who would be forced from their schools if the plan to kill the program succeeds:

"The D.C. school choice program has provided hope for thousands of low-income children in the District of Columbia since it was established, and has been demonstrating results when it comes to parental satisfaction and increased parental involvement.  Eliminating this program would represent an irresponsible and shameful act on the part of the Democratic leadership in Congress, and the children of the District of Columbia deserve better."

Washington, DC parents are tremendously satisfied with the school choice program, according to a prominent Georgetown University report.  Here are just a few comments published in the Georgetown report from parents who have seen their children excel under the program:

• "I don't have to worry about the fighting in the school.  They might have one or two little misunderstandings, but it's not an everyday occurrence like it was at (his previous public school)." 
   
• "My youngest, her reading skills had [gone] up tremendously.  Before she got to Catholic school, she was the type of child who didn't socialize a lot.  She was quiet, didn't participate when it came to teacher asking, 'Raise your hand.'  But now since she attended Catholic school, she participates, she raises her hand, she reads a lot." 
   
• "All my expectations were met.  The only expectations I actually had were for her to be in a more focused group, smaller class sizes, and things of that nature.  All my expectations were met as far as that's concerned." 

Heritage Foundation recently released a video highlighting the children served by this highly-popular program.  Is Congress really prepared to turn its back on these children and these parents by supporting this backdoor attempt to kill the DC Opportunity Scholarship program?  Or will Members on both sides of the aisle rally behind President Obama's call to "expand the promise of education" for students in our nation's capital who need it most?