Senate Votes Down Vouchers, ESEA Process Presses Forward

A little over a month ago, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a member of the education subcommittee, had foregone his voucher amendment at the committee level so that the bill could move to the full Senate with a unanimous vote.  He revived that amendment before the full Senate.  The measure would have allowed low income students to opt out of public school and use $2100 in Title I dollars to pay for tuition at a private school.  The amendment was defeated on a 45-to-51 vote yesterday. Democrats were unified in their opposition and a few Republicans joined them, including Senators from Missouri, Kansas, and Alaska.  Senate rules required 60 votes for the amendment to pass.  

Still up this week are amendments to the funding formula (discussed here yesterday) and an anti-discrimination measure to protect against harassment based on sexual orientation.