Stop DC Vouchers 
Press release opposing House of Representatives vote approving DC vouchers
September 10, 2003

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 10, 2003 

Contact: Melody Webb
202-276-9253

Stop D.C. Vouchers Condemns Voucher Vote Held During Congressional Black Caucus Presidential Debate

Washington, D.C. - In the dark of night yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives held a vote and narrowly approved school vouchers for D.C by a margin of one vote (209 - 208) . But indeed, the vote was held while at least 12 voucher-opponent members of Congress were away at the scheduled Congressional Black Caucus presidential debate at Morgan State University in Baltimore. 

Stop D.C. Vouchers urges public education supporters to stay the course and tell their Senators at (202)224-3121 to vote against D.C. vouchers. The Senate vote could be held at any time on their version of the voucher bill. Melody Webb, Director of Stop D.C. Vouchers, public education advocate and D.C. public school parent made the following statement:

How is that for a mandate? All supporters of D.C. voucher legislation in Congress claim that the bill reflects a mandate in Washington D.C. and among largely African American school districts around the country. We know that D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District's non-voting Member, rejects the bill for her district. What the timing of this bill shows is that there is no mandate among Congressional black leaders and some presidential candidates in the House of Representatives. The leadership had so little confidence in their ability to pass the legislation that they held the vote in the dark of night during the scheduled absence of the members who have a vote and who oppose school vouchers. Just last night, the Congressional Black Caucus resoundingly cheered Senator John Edwards' statement rejecting school vouchers.

How unjust that the non-voting member of congress, Del. Norton is not allowed to vote on the legislation that affects her constituents. How scurrilous that key voting members of Congress were left out of the vote that will likely affect their constituents should the voucher bill pass for D.C. Today D.C., tomorrow Congress will implement in African American inner city districts all over the country.

For shame, for shame - that the leadership of the House pushing vouchers would shut out the presidential candidates and African Americans who are members of Congress in order to advance their national voucher agenda. Sadly, if the false fix of vouchers passes for D.C. and marches across the country, Congress would leave behind 60,000 of the District's children and millions of children nationwide.