WASHINGTON – Today the DC Republican Party commended the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for its passage of the SOAR Act. The program provides the District of Columbia with additional federal funding for DC children who attend DC Public Schools, DC Public Charter Schools and some private schools.
DC Republican Party Chairman José Cunningham stated, “On behalf of DC Republicans, I want to thank Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz and members of the committee for their approval of SOAR. I also appreciate DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson for supporting SOAR and valuing DC kids over political ideology. I think this is a critical time for education reform in the District of Columbia and funding from the SOAR Act will continue to allow parents to choose the best school for their child regardless of their ability to pay.”
Meanwhile, a majority of members on the DC Council, the District of Columbia’s part-time legislative body, sent a factually inaccurate letter to Chairman Chaffetz asking him to oppose SOAR which includes more federal funding for DC Public Schools ($15 million), DC Public Charter Schools ($15 million) and economically disadvantaged private school students ($15 million). The program provides resources to disadvantaged DC students with a majority of the funds going to DC public schools and DC public charter schools.
DC GOP Executive Director Patrick Mara, noted, “As the parent of a student at a Title I DC public school and a board member at a DC public charter school, I find it highly offensive that a majority of DC councilmembers continually fight to deny additional federal education dollars to DC students. Unfortunately, these folks are focused on national “progressive” causes instead of meaningful education reform in District schools. They love their radical local protests and are willing to rob families of their only opportunity to avoid underperforming schools because they put politics ahead of principle.”
Cunningham added, “As a latino who did not grow up in an affluent household, it deeply troubles me that these eight members of the DC Council oppose funding for disadvantaged minority children. None of them must have a child in a DC Public or DC Public Charter School that could benefit from these additional funds. Obviously, with their six figure part-time DC Council salaries, none would qualify for the private school scholarships. Its infuriating that these politicians oppose a program that helps disadvantaged children avoid the so-called school to prison pipeline.”
For further information, contact Patrick Mara at patrick.mara@dcgop.com. The DC Republican Party Committee is made up of registered Republicans living throughout the District of Columbia in all eight wards who are nominated and elected to serve as members.
