9 Republicans Opposed Voucher Program in D.C.

Earlier today, the House passed the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act,( HR 471).  This educational program was originally enacted in 2004 and achieved phenomenal success.  It provided for vouchers for those who were forced into failing DC public school.  In 2009, the Democrats repealed this program, despite its success.  Needless to say, they are beholden to the teachers union that vociferously opposes any support of private schools.

Shockingly, 9 Republicans voted against the reauthorization of this vital program.  These Republicans need to explain why they opposed school choice, a position that is an imprecation to conservatism.  Here are the nine dissenters:

Reps. Judy Biggert (Ill.), Robert Dold (Ill.), Sam Graves (Mo.), Morgan Griffith (Va.), Timothy Johnson (Ill.), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.), Ron Paul (Texas), Dave Reichert (Wash.) and Mike Simpspon (Idaho).

It should be noted that while conservatives categorically oppose any federal intervention in education, D.C. is different because Congress has constitutional authority over them.