Budget deal includes D.C. abortion, school voucher measures

The last-minute deal to avoid a government shutdown means life largely continues as usual for most people, but some D.C. policies will be changed by the budget deal. The deal includes a measure that bans the District from using city funds to provide abortions for low-income women and a provision to continue a school-voucher program in D.C.

Voucher program by the numbers

5: Years the program is slated to be re-authorized for

$20 million: Federal funds to go toward scholarships each year

$40 million: Funds to go toward D.C. public and charter schools each year

$8,000: Maximum scholarship for elementary and middle school students

$12,000: Maximum scholarship for high school students

2,881: Students who received and used scholarships, 2004-09

Sources: GovTrack.us, Department of Education

City officials have attacked the so-called “policy riders,” calling them an infringement on the District’s autonomy.