Jason Chaffetz

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 3116) to extend by 15 years the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to conduct the quarterly financial report program, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to submit for the Record a letter from John Thompson, Director of the Census Bureau, to Chairman McCaul, myself, and others, indicating the Bureau will comply with FISMA when developing the report required by H.R. 3116 and will continue to work with the Secretary of Homeland Security and others to secure the Bureau's network.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 10, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results, or SOAR, Reauthorization Act. The SOAR Reauthorization Act continues the three-sector approach to education within the District of Columbia. This approach gives equal funding to D.C. Public Schools, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and the Opportunity Scholarship Program, often referred to as the OSP. The OSP gives scholarships to children in low-income families to attend a private school so that those children can experience a quality education. The average OSP family makes less than $22,000 per year. These scholarships allow families to place their children in learning- rich environments. District of Columbia Public Schools rank at the top in spending per student, but are near the bottom in academic performance. The Opportunity Scholarship Program gives these students the education they deserve so they can pursue the American Dream. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 10 works not only to provide scholarships to students who need them the most, but also to improve the current state of public school and public charter school education. This bill authorizes equal funding for D.C. Public Schools and for D.C. Public Charter Schools in addition to the Opportunity scholarships. My friends across the aisle claim that the SOAR Act takes money away from public education. However, that is quite the opposite. The SOAR Act increases funding for public education in the District of Columbia. In fact, since the three-sector approach has been in effect, D.C. Public Schools and D.C. Public Charter Schools have received a combined $435 million in Federal funding for school improvement. Mr. Chairman, the District of Columbia schools would not have received these funds had it not been for the OSP and this three-sector approach. Now we are debating reauthorizing this approach and giving $20 million annually to each sector for 5 years, $300 million across 5 years for D.C. education. It is hard to imagine how anyone who advocates for public education would oppose such an approach that has poured millions of dollars into the D.C. public education system, particularly since the OSP is getting a great return on its investment and is producing results. The OSP produces $2.62 in benefits for every dollar spent on the program, according to a study conducted by one of the program's evaluators. Mr. Chairman, you would be hard pressed to find another government program that generates this sort of result and bang for your buck. We are talking about a 162 percent return on investment here, an investment that has not taken one dime from public education. Mr. Chairman, it is good stuff. We talk about how to keep this program going because it is really affecting real people and real lives. We talk about the individual students and their families, but it is also borne out in the statistics. The Opportunity Scholarship students are averaging a 90 percent graduation rate--90 percent--compared to D.C. Public Schools, which was roughly less than a 60 percent graduation rate in 2013 and 2014. Further, some 88 percent of the Opportunity Scholarship participants enroll in college. Not only are they graduating high school at record levels above and beyond what is happening in public schools, but they are also going on to higher education. These children, though, are more than a graduation statistic. Their individual lives have been forever changed because of the OSP. I want to remind our colleagues about Joseph Kelley's son, Rashawn Williams. He had fallen behind in every single subject. His father had to get the courts involved to ensure that his school was following its requirements pursuant to Rashawn's individual education plan. Mr. Kelley was able to get Rashawn a scholarship through the Opportunity Scholarship Program and has said: ``I truly shudder to think where my son would be today without it.'' Mr. Chairman, the OSP is changing outcomes for the least advantaged. The program places kids in safer high-quality schools that allow them to receive a good education. It brings funding to all sectors of education in D.C. to improve education opportunities for all. Mr. Chairman, it is important to note that the bill requires all participating Opportunity Scholarship schools to be accredited. The accreditation standards give the taxpayer--and, more importantly, Opportunity Scholarship families--assurances that District students are receiving the education they deserve. The Opportunity Scholarship currently limits entrance based on a control group for an evaluation study. H.R. 10 removes this arbitrary requirement, instituting a new study to track the results of the Opportunity Scholarships. Removing this barrier to entry increases access to the program and means more families can be afforded quality education for their children. Mr. Chairman, we had the opportunity to debate this bill in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and I appreciate the perspectives heard from both sides. We had a good, productive field hearing. I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the Speaker of the House, our friend and colleague, for authoring this legislation. He has poured his heart and soul out, trying to do what he can do to help these young children. It has had a very positive effect on so many lives and in future generations. It is something we can all be proud about. He has worked tirelessly to bring opportunity to students within the District of Columbia, and he will be remembered by this body for his effort to bring a quality education to all. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to give students in the District of Columbia the opportunity for a quality education by reauthorizing a program that actually works and produces results. It affects real lives. It is called the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 10.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Messer), the chairman of the Republican Policy Committee.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining?

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline), the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Walker.)

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I am pleased to yield 1\1/ 2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly).

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Sanford.)

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Rokita).

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would draw our Members' attention to the editorial board comments from yesterday. This is from the Washington Post: A misguided attack on D.C.'s needy students. I want to remind people, as they did in this document here in this editorial, that eight council members seem unaware that the program was established in 2004 at the initiation of the then-D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, who was also supported by the chairman of the Council's Education Committee, and it has produced results. The graduation rates are amazingly good, at roughly 90 percent, compared to D.C. public schools that are less than 60 percent. I think that is strong evidence that it is a winner, that it does provide a good opportunity for people, and that it should be reauthorized. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to correct the record there. I think, obviously, somebody misspoke. The House did not vote on vouchers in this Congress. That is not what has happened. Mr. Chairman, I insert into the Record the letter we got from 500 families, D.C. residents, urging us in the adoption of this. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, October 20, 2015. Dear Representatives: We are a large and diverse number of parents of children attending various schools within the District of Columbia. We write to urge your support of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act (SOAR) (H.R. 10). The SOAR Act is bipartisan legislation which ensures our rights as parents to choose the best public, charter or private school for our children. It not only provides up to $20 million for Opportunity Scholarships for low-income families to attend private schools, but also authorizes an additional $40 million per year for public and charter schools in the District of Columbia. This three-sector initiative provides opportunities for all our children to succeed! Nearly 6,200 children from very low-income families in the city have attended private schools through the Opportunity Scholarship Program over the past eleven years--88% coming from areas zoned for schools in need of improvement and 97% African-American or Hispanic. These students graduate at rates 30 points higher than the city's public schools and have a near 90 percent college enrollment rate. These are proven results! The SOAR Act is an example of what works in education. When we can choose the best public, charter, or private school for our children, there are not only more opportunities to engage in their education, but also for them to achieve greater academic excellence. These outcomes strengthen the city's education system as a whole. We believe that maintaining and fully funding all educational options are critically important for the city's families, especially low-income families served by the Opportunity Scholarship Program. No child should be denied a safe, quality education because of their family income or zip code. We therefore urge you to support the swift passage of the SOAR Act. Sincerely, Ms. Nichelle Cluff, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ikoli, Ms. Stephanie Montgomery, Ms. Mary Montgomery, Ms. Nina Harris, Ms. Eboni Purvis, Ms. Juliette Randolph, Ms. Ashley Adams, Ms. Naa Borle Sakeyfio, Mrs. Mariama Bah, Ms. Mia Wilson, Mrs. Sherri Calhoun, Ms. Lamonica Jeffrey, Mr. Darrell Cousar, Mr. James Calhoun, Mr. Andrew Cyr, Ms. Kayann McCalla, Mrs. Aldrina Cabrera, Ms. Kiana Wright, Ms. Albertine Cole. Ms. Dianna Coley, Ms. Tonya Carter, Ms. Giovanna Grayson, Ms. Luciana Udeozor, Ms. Andrea Davis, Mrs. Obiagel nuel- Ejiofor, Mr. Emmanuel Ejiofor, Mr. Rogers Ferguson, Mr. Girma Mihretu, Ms. Molita Gaskins, Ms. Latoya Myers, Ms. Djenane Jeanty, Ms. Keona Lewis, Mrs. Nicole Knott, Mr. Rudy Knott, Mr. Hanna Boku, Mr. Rashawn McCain, Ms. Ann Mmayie, Ms. Rita Pineda, Mr. Okechukwu Mbarah. Mr. Carlings McPhail, Ms. Ann Meruh, Ms. Shantel Powell- Morgan, Mrs. Marguerita Ramos, Mrs. Muanza Sangamay, Ms. Felicia Thomas, Ms. Sydney Williams, Ms. Caren Kirkland, Mrs. Temitope Tayo, Mr. Anthony Ugorji, Ms. Natasha Tutt, Ms. Dina Bayou, Ms. Natasha Tutt, Mr. Calvin Wright, Mrs. Julia Ugorji, Mrs. Chinwe Mbarah, Mr. Souleymane Bah, Julie McLaughlin, Sheila Martinez, Susan Morais. Joan Sapienza, Eddie Donahue, Jeseph Yohe, Carter Jefferson, Vincent Browning, Jonathan Bender, Peter Frantz, Ellen Graper, Elizabeth LeBras, Kiandra Willis, Robert McKeon, Marcela Price Souaya, Stephen Lennon, Aleasa Chiles- Feggins, Sally Leakamariam, Juleanna Glover, Christopher Reiter, Cristina Khalaf, Tom Shea, Sean Vincent. Karen Brennan, Ceci Smith, Adrienne Vincent, Pedro Smith, Donna Gibson, Colleen Cavanagh, Chris Long, Aleasa Chiles- Feggins, Mariela Alardon-Yohe, Jennifer Browning, Philippa Bender, Melanie Jefferson, Veronica Nyhan Jones, Michael Truscott, Eavan O'Halloran, Sakinah Dupree, Morris Redd, Ron Josey, Susana Ramos-Izquierdo, Aimee Donahue. Marisse Rovira, Linda Girardi, Sharlene Mentor, Lisa Richa, James McLaughlin, Glenda Morales, Samuel Parker III, Clarence Jones, Leyla Y. Teos, Mavian Nouget, Kip Ross, Beatriz Lopez, Charles Malloy, Steve Trynosky, Carlos Aquino, Yanira Reyes, Nelly Romero, Sandra Huerta, Eboni Curry, Amanda Lawrence. Laura Hernandez, Mogus Meles, Danielle Aguirre, Julie Corsig, Andy Corsig, Alan Joaquin, Stephen Connors, Colton Campbell, Amy Dean, Flavio Cumpiano, John Menditto, Michelle Theic, Liza Figueroa, Shenelle Henry, Glenda Urquilla, Kelly Brown, Maria Granados, Catie Malloy, Ingrid Mejia, Jill Trynosky. Marlene Aquino, Roselia Gonzalez, Nubia Easil, Jessica Martinez, Beatriz Jansen, Juan Carlos Acajabon Mendez, Betiel Zekarias, Maria Torres, Carrie Hillegass, Mike Hillegass, Barbara Richitt, Victoria Connors, Kiandra Willis, Marilyn Campbell, Bob Dean, Felice Goodwin, Shanti Stanton, Molly Robert, Jen MacLennan, Michael Grady. Sharon Blume, Brendan O'Brien, Kenia Reyes, Salvador Hernandez, Rob Grabarz, Bentley Storm, Molly Bruno, Jennifer Leonard, Geoff Morrell, Christy Reap, Genet Demisse, Javier Aguirre, Neil McGrail, Kai Schmitz, Jimmy Kemp, Kathy Hagerup, Stephanie McGovern, Yohannes Z. Hadgu, Thomas Fitton, Melinda Johnson. Theresa Nahazar, Ann McAllister, Dan Goodwin, Daphne de Souza, Darren MacLennan, Alexandra Walsh, Andrew Blume, Greg Talbot, Darren Jansen, Susan Tanis, Sarah Grabarz, Ashley Storm, Jaclyn Madden, Barton Leonard, Ann Morrell, Pat Reap, Jana Patterson, Barbara Swaboda, Stephanie McGrail, Adriana Schmitz. Susan Kemp, Brian Crowley, John McGovern, Michael Scanlon, Kelly Fitton, Bassam Khalaf, John Nahazar, John McAllister, Marc Sozio, Tyson Redpath, Laverne Lightbourne, Nick Milano, Trisha Corcoran, Eleanor Hopkins, Liza Lindenberg, Katie Krantz, John Morrissey, Joe Patterson, Chima Oluigbo, Sonia Cruz. Mercedes Rubio, Eddie Donahue, Gilbert Richa, Nick Saunders, Stephen Sexton, Thomas Faust, Meg Molloy, Michelle Wolf, Bruce Cormier, Ryan Angier, Jen Rowan, Lauren Buckley, Collin Cullen, Mary Santiviago, Kelly Sozio, Renee Redpath, Kevin Madden, Susan Milano, Joe Corcoran, Mary Glaser McCahan. Kate McAuliffe, Meg Knight, Ann Morrissey, Courtney Knowles, Nnenna Oluigbo, Robert Cruz-Reyes, Lydia Dolan, Lauren Lennon, Tom Knight, Joe Beemsterboer, Sarah Sexton, Larisa Faust, Jim Molloy, Kristin Lindquist, Sarah Cormier, Katreena Vigil Pineda, Mike Rowan, Mark Buckley, Brenda Cullen, Sergio Santiviago, Gary Fabiano. Rene McGuffin, Jorge Costa, Meghan Deerin, Kelly Stanton, Art Frye, John McGill, Mike Bruno, Matt Ritz, Margaret Bond, Billy MacArtee, Anthony Puglisi, Monica Micklos, Tim Yost, Ray Powers, Chris Dolan, Darrell Clark, Chris Connolly, Joni Veith, Courtney Taylor, Athena Meyers. Joshua Corless, Allison Sheedy, Robin Barth, Sam Depoy, Jung Kang, Connie Fabiano, David McGuffin, Michelle Costa, JB Deerin, Mike Stanton, Barbara Frye, Stephanie McGill, Anne Zorc, Erin Ritz, Chris Delaney, Elena MacArtee, Laura Puglisi, Jeff Micklos, Liz Yost, Tom Hohman. Desiree Gabbidon, Yves Clark, Michelle Connolly, Tom Veith, Jay Taylor, Greg Meyers, Shannon Corless, Stefan Hagerup, Woo Lee, Marty Depoy, Stephanie O'Leary, Susan O'Keefe, Luwam Berhane, Patti Exposito, Michael Henry, Dan Hickey, Carmen Burducea, Joseph Finnegan, Michael Hyatte, Peter Komives. Eric Stogoski, Fred Dombo, Dave Madden, Justin Glasgow, Bernardo Ahlbom, Mark Emery, Doug Skomy, Stephen Grimberg, Brendan Delaney, John DiMartino, Jeffrey MacKinnon, Hirut Teklu, Erika Lopez-Padilla, Michelle Marshall, Abebe Kebede, Shayla Mack, Tesfaye Bune, Michael O'Keefe, Daniel McCahan, Lorenzo Exposito. Sarah Henry, Stephanie Hickey, Radu Burducea, Elizabeth Finnegan, Theresa Hyatte, Irina Komives, Julia Stogoski, Michelle Dombo, Lisa Madden, Megan Glasgow, Tatiana Ahlborn, Celina Emery, Mary Skorny, Christina Grimberg, Celine Delaney, Ginny Treanor, Gail MacKinnon, Mekuria Gebremichael Bint, Renee Lopez-Padilla, Emebet Worku. Carlotte Crawford, Solomon Meshesha, Etsegent Demissie, Sri Winarti, Denisha Dempster, Demssie Gebremedhin, Alembanchi Taye, Tezita Woldegebriel, Tesfaye Abebu Bune, Magie Maling, Jessica Cabrera, LaShawn Debnam, Barbara Destry, Jaanai Johnson, Hewan Abera, Siddiq Anderson, Markina Bailey, Odessa Brown, Rosa Caiza Maldonado, Sharon Coffey. Dianna Coley, Felicia Dyson, Ruth Fekadu, Dana Grinage, Sandra Hall, Lakia Harris, Shirlene Jackson, Francine Johnson, Nicole Johnson, Rajeeyah Burks, Mohamad Nugroho, Woinishet Gelete, Johnny Kassa, Cynthia Downes, Genet Tirksso, Wosen Admasu, Sara Caceres, Johanna Rizo Martinez, Nikita Pray, Estela Arellano. Sagrario Agaton, Mary Addae, Ruth Barnwell, Meka Burch, Sherri Calhoun, Catrice Coleman, Barbara Cunningham, Lashawn Durant, Moanick Fenner, Michelle Glover, Carmen Hall-Ali, Deborah Jackson, Darlene Johnson, Denise Johnson, Wendy Jones, Michael Jones, Alfreda Judd, Lynetta McClam, Adrienne Miles, Claudia Moreno. Pauline Murray, Brigitta Nyahn, Naha Poindexter, Erin Skinner, Felicia Thomas, Sharon Waller, Lanita Wood, Ms. Myeshia Johnson, Ms. Venete Eason, Ms. Kanita Washington, Mrs. Barbara Graham, Sophie Alozie, Blanca Magarin, Jeanine Henderson-Lebbie, William Walker, IV, Tigistu Zewdie, Sydonie Fisher, William James, Akwilina Perry, Monalisa Reno. Zakia Williams, Shonta Jones, Pamela Matthews, Cecilia Mensah, Tonya Moore, Priscilla Moultrie, Carolina Novoa, Deborah M. Parker, Michelle Roberts, Sandra Stackhouse, Leslie Void, Varnell Washington, Ms. Kitty Dawson, Ms. Mia Butler, Ms. Tiana Robinson, Mrs. Jill Gelman, Nejat Teman, Nathaniel Garbla, Tefaye Tamire, Patrice Aubrey. Fatmatta Kamara, Stephon Knox, Dwishnicka Randolph, Nicole Wood, Erica Iweanoge, Amanda Brown-Parks, James Parker, Teata Sanders, Samora St. Firmin, Dionne Clemons, Vernessa Perry, Donald Matthews, Tashana Ellis, Donita Adams, Caroline Beruchan, Steven Garrison, Ms. Holly Destry, Ms. Victoria Heimbold, Mr. Solomon Weldeghebriel, Ms. Jamil Raspberry. Anne Hedian, Atchoi Osekre-Bond, Margie Bacon, Jill Wright, Cathy Falk, Chanda Foreman, Colleen Scheidel, Kenny Stack, Juliette Randolph, Barbara Andercheck, Indra Thomas, Dog Harvey, Darah Tracy, Ginger Beverly, Tonya Wright, Brandon Winder, Antilecia O'Neal, Uanna Ferguson, Aster Robi, Bernadette Aniekwe. Patrice Davis, Ms. Maria del Carmen Reyes, Ms. Ingrid Lucas, Ms. Stephanie Goodloe, Mrs. Helen Andemariam, Michael Thomasian, Neslyn Moore, Judy Steele, Kathleen Downey, Judith Home, Niamh O'Mahoney, Arleen Hall, Bobby Rienzo, Teresa Fitzgerald, LaShawne Thomas, Sarah Kane, Frank Washington, Mary Ann Welter, Shawn Hunter, Leslie Sherrill. Donise Yeager, Keyana Caroline, Sandra Gray, Latasha Monnique Jones Ward, Anthony Speight, Deborah B. Jones, Kim Atwater, Alvena P. Toland, Loretta Henry, Marilyn Sharpe, Davon Wilson, Sherry Bryant, Elroy Black, Lisa Newman, Shakia Henderson, Octavia Powell, Anita M. Harris, Krestin Clay, Laneka Brakett, Ana Acedo-Garcia. Garry Jones, John Wallace, Nakeisha Thompson, Donald Lampkins, Renard Hawkins, Tammy Williams, Tynisha Dunn, Jovanna Bailey, Latasha Johon, Bobby Perry, Shalita Knight, Keyana Howard, Kenneth Meredith, Calep Epps, Ty'ron Byers, Chase Blakney, Curtis Watts, Kishara Odom, Jeffrey Corry, Antonia Payne. Denise L. Lowery, Stephanie Payner, Tanya Lambright, Elaine E. Harris, Elbert Laker, Ryan Storr, Sylvester Bynum, Lavelle Lamb, Dominique Johnson, Paulette Willims, Martasha Fermine, Oyhani Williams, Nasir McKeiver, Kenneth Wood, Neta Vaught, Mary Joyner, Michelle L. McIntyre, Kaitlin Gallagher, Will E. Henderson, Jeanette Hubbard, Ontavia Lynch, Tasha McKenzie, James R. Wills, Jr.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I also introduce into the Record The Washington Post editorial from yesterday, ``A Misguided Attack on D.C.'s Needy Students,'' actually supporting this. [From the Washington Post, Oct. 20, 2015] A Misguided Attack on D.C.'s Needy Students (By Editorial Board) Is the federally funded scholarship program for poor D.C. families being forced on an unwilling city? It is safe to say that thousands of D.C. parents whose children are on the waiting list for a scholarship do not think so. Nor, we would venture, do the 6,100 children, predominantly minorities, who have used the scholarships to attend private schools. For that matter, students in the city's public schools who have benefited from the infusion of federal dollars that has accompanied the voucher program probably would not embrace the argument either. So whom do members of the D.C. Council think they are helping as they urge Congress to kill this program? Fortunately, it does not appear that the council members will succeed in inflicting this wound on their city. Congress appears poised to reauthorize the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which provides needy students with up to $12,572 to pay for tuition, fees and transportation to a school of their choice. The average family income for participating families is less than $22,000. A bill extending the program for five years and championed by outgoing House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) is set for a floor vote Wednesday, while a bipartisan group of senators has filed a companion bill that would continue the program through 2025. Seeking to derail those efforts, a misguided majority of the D.C. Council, undoubtedly egged on by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and other voucher critics, wrote a letter to Congress objecting to what they portrayed as an intrusion into local affairs. These eight council members seemed unaware that the program was established in 2004 at the initiation of Anthony Williams (D), then D.C.'s mayor, and with the strong support of Kevin Chavous (D), then chair of the council's Education Committee. Likewise, they were unmoved by polling that has shown 74 percent of D.C. residents support the voucher program, which, despite the specious claims of critics, has improved outcomes for its students without taking a dime from regular public schools. Indeed, the three-sector federal approach has brought more than $600 million to D.C. schools, with traditional public schools receiving $239 million, charter public schools $195 million and the voucher program $183 million. At stake for fiscal 2016 is an additional $45 million. It is fantasy to think there would be additional monies absent vouchers. School reform has brought improvement throughout the system. Yet, many parents still lack the choices and the access to high-quality education that city politicians take for granted for their own families. We credit D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) and council members Vincent B. Orange (D-At Large), Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), Brandon T. Todd (D-Ward 4) and Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5) for not seeking to deprive those parents of choice, and we hope their eight colleagues will rethink their position and put constituents' welfare over misguided ideology.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, the bottom line is this program produces results. I like the variety of choices. And the Delegate has been a real champion for charter schools, and I applaud her for that, I support her in that. But the reality is the scholarships that we are talking about here, the Opportunity scholarships, have yielded the best results with nearly 90 percent graduation rates and roughly 88 percent of the people then going on to college. Those are amazing statistics. But I have heard a lot of derogatory comments. I have heard everything from misguided, idiotic, disgraceful, weakens, underfunded. Underfunded? Underfunded? That is offensive to us from Utah. We happen to have the lowest per pupil funding in the entire United States. We are not proud of that fact. But the reality is we get roughly $6,500 per student, where in Washington, D.C. you get about $19,500 per student. It is not even close. And yet here we are championing and trying to help give more money, more resources, to what are underperforming students and giving them more choices. I guess one of the things you should consider is if the Congress does support this bill, does pass this bill, it is appropriated, would anybody on the Democratic side of the aisle actually recommend that the city not take the money? If it is so idiotic, if it is so awful, if it is so derogatory, if it is so negative, then why not cut it off right now? See, they want to continue to allow it to happen for those who have scholarships now because they know it is working, and they could never look those parents in the eye and take it away; but they are going to deny that choice to future generations where we know there has been demonstrable success. So I am proud of Speaker Boehner and what he has done to champion this bill. I think it is a good bill. With that, I urge the adoption of this bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate working with the Delegate. It is a good working relationship. We have our opposition from time to time, but she did work with us in this way, and I appreciate her support of this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, the manager's amendment that I am offering makes small technical changes to the bill. First, the amendment substitutes the term ``low achieving schools'' for ``lowest performing schools,'' which corresponds to the language used by the District of Columbia on this topic. Second, the amendment makes clear that the Secretary of Education and the Mayor of the District of Columbia will monitor and report on the use of funds authorized by this bill. Third, the amendment clarifies reporting requirements in the bill to protect students against arbitrary exclusion from the program. Finally, the amendment requires the Secretary of Education to direct funding for public charter schools to the District's Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Mr. Chairman, this is a good amendment that reflects the ongoing conversations with the District of Columbia regarding this bill. I urge its adoption. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentlewoman's amendment.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Chairman, this is the same amendment that Delegate Norton offered to the bill during markup, but it was rejected by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The amendment would cap the enrollment of OSP students, the Opportunity Scholarship Program, at 50 percent of the school's population without affecting current voucher students or siblings. The amendment would also restore the randomized controlled study requirement. Mr. Chairman, this program is about opportunity and choice. Parents should be able to choose the best schools for their children, and private schools should have the flexibility to determine whether or not to enroll OSP students. I understand the Delegate's concern that students maintain quality standards. In fact, I share it. That is why H.R. 10 requires participating OSP schools to achieve accreditation no later than 5 years after the passage of the act. This is a more effective way to ensure the quality than by arbitrarily excluding students from the program. Mr. Chairman, the accreditation process required by H.R. 10 will ensure education and administrative quality control. The process will help weed out poor performers from this program without setting a cap on OSP student enrollment. As for the return to the control group evaluation, this is unnecessary for the OSP. The OSP has been rigorously evaluated using the Gold Standard since 2003, and it has demonstrated positive results. The Gold Standard Evaluation, using a randomized controlled evaluation, deliberately limits participation in the program. Under this evaluation method, some student applicants received scholarships while other student applicants were placed in a control group that did not receive scholarships. Given the OSP's proven success under this standard, it is time to allow as many students to receive scholarships as funding permits. Mr. Chairman, it is important to note that the bill does not forsake evaluation. Instead, the bill requires the OSP students' performance base to be compared to that of students of similar backgrounds of the D.C. public schools. The evaluation method means no more students will be barred from a good education through OSP for the sake of the experiment. Mr. Chairman, on average, 2.5 students apply for each scholarship that is ultimately awarded. We should be focused on meeting the demand for access to a good education rather than arbitrarily limiting students' ability to succeed. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, which would unnecessarily exclude children from the educational opportunities they desire and deserve. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, as I said before, Mr. Scott of Virginia is one of my favorite people in this body. I have the greatest respect. His perspective is one that I often share. I would just highlight for this body here, because I do urge a ``no'' vote on this motion to recommit, that we had a field hearing in May. We have had good debate. We had a good markup. We had always projected to move this bill in the fall. I think it is time to bring up this bill. So we have never had this issue ever brought to my attention as chairman of the committee. I would also highlight that section 3008, Nondiscrimination and Other Requirements for Participating Schools--I will read just point A. ``In General.--An eligible entity or school participating in any program under this division shall not discriminate against program participants or applicants on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex.'' I do look forward to working with the gentleman and anybody else on these issues moving forward, but I would urge a ``no'' vote on the motion to recommit. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.