Statement by Chairman Issa on SOAR Act

WASHINGTON- In advance of the debate on H.R. 471, the Scholarship for Opportunities and Results (SOAR) Act, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement:

“The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is popular with District residents, cost-effective, and, most importantly, gives students from families of lesser means an opportunity to obtain an education they value.  We know from experience that spending more money doesn’t necessarily equate to better schools or give students and parents the kind of confidence independent evaluation has found Opportunity Scholarships provide.  Opposition from teachers’ unions and their political allies is not surprising, nor should it dissuade the House from passing this important bill.”

Chairman Issa is an original co-sponsor of the SOAR Act, introduced by Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in January. The bill is scheduled to be taken up tomorrow by the House of Representatives. Senator Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., has introduced companion legislation (S. 206).

Click here for the text of H.R. 471 that was approved by the Oversight Committee earlier this month and will be before the full House of Representatives tomorrow.

###