For Immediate Release: 
March 7, 2017
 
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, (202) 724-8105

Councilmembers send letter opposing voucher expansion in D.C.

Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso, chairperson of the Committee on Education, released the following statement regarding a letter he sent with a majority of his colleagues to House of Representatives Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) opposing legislation to reauthorize and expand the Congressionally-imposed school vouchers program:

“Despite ample evidence that the Congressionally-imposed voucher program is ineffective, and while D.C. public schools improve every year, some members of Congress continue to see our city as their personal petri dish. With the new Administration and leadership in the Department of Education, it is even clearer that our public education system is and will remain under attack.

“It is insulting to our constituents that members of Congress, where D.C. has no voting representation, would push their personal agendas on our city in a way they could never do in their home states. Attacking D.C. home rule, including any expansion of the voucher program, is irresponsible governing on the part of Congress.

“Rather than siphoning public dollars into private ventures, we should continue the progress made in our public schools – both traditional and charter – that will put every child in the District of Columbia in the best position to succeed.”

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