The House voted to pass a bill reauthorizing school vouchers in D.C., despite opposition from President Obama and Democrats who want tax dollars to remain entirely in the public school system.
The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act would provide D.C. families with federal money they can use to attend private schools if they want to avoid attending underperforming city schools.
“The SOAR act, which passed 224-181, provides the choice that parents in the District deserve,” said Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich.
Democrats have long opposed the program because they believe more money should be invested in the public school system.
Democrats pointed to a Department of Education study that claimed to show no significant academic improvement among voucher recipients.
“The voucher program has neither expanded opportunities nor delivered results for those students and their families,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. “It has actually proven to be an unwise and unwelcome use of tax dollars.”
Republicans made the argument that the vouchers offered students the only chance to escape the District public school system’s poor performance.
“Right now, for the majority of students in this country, real educational choice only exists if you can afford it,” said Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind.
While President Obama opposes school vouchers, he signaled this week he will not veto the legislation, which is likely to be wrapped into another must-pass bill by the end of the year.
