House Approves School Vouchers for Washington

WASHINGTON —  Pushing a top item on the Republicans’ election-year agenda, the House passed and sent to President Clinton a bill creating vouchers to allow poor children in the nation’s capital to attend private schools or suburban public schools.

Clinton has promised to veto the bill, which passed 214-206.

Opponents say the measure, to cost $25 million over three years, would siphon public money from public schools. “It is the latest assault on public schools by the opponents of public education,” said Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.).

But the bill fits in with the GOP agenda of fixing public education by reducing direct federal involvement, expanding local control and providing more choice to parents. Republicans argue that competition will force public schools to improve, and Washington schools are in dire need of improvement.