Washington, DC - Congressman Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-Brooklyn) voted against H.R. 2556, the D.C. Parental Choice Incentive Act of 2003, today that would rob millions of dollars from public schools in the nation's capital.  The bill was considered in House Committee on Government Reform of which Towns is a member.

"This bill is another attempt by the President and the Republican Congress to divert money away from our public school system to private schools.  Unless we stop their efforts now, you can be sure that they will try to implement this initiative in other cities."

The legislation would set up a $15 million publicly funded voucher program but would provide no additional money for public schools.  Families could only use the grants to help send their children to private schools in the District of Columbia.  Additionally, private schools would be able to select  which children to accept under the program even though they are receiving taxpayers' dollars. 

"While vouchers may appear to give children hope in failing schools, they are really just another effort by Republicans to use taxpayers' dollars for privatized services.   Under the bill, federal money would go to private schools that do not even have to meet the same standards of accountability that our public schools must meet.

"The real solution is to fully fund our education needs," continued Towns.  "Instead of backing these gimmick private school voucher proposals that will do nothing to improve educational opportunities, the President should fully fund the No Child Left Behind Act."

The legislation, which was approved by a one vote margin, will now go to the House Floor for consideration.