Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) has introduced H.R. 4312, the DC Student Opportunity and Choice Act. This bill would make it possible for students in Washington, DC to continue to enroll in the popular and successful DC school voucher program.

“The DC school voucher program has been undeniably successful for the students who have had the opportunity to participate, so it would make sense to continue the program and expand it to even more students in the District of Columbia,” Burgess said. “President Obama’s signature may soon be on a bill that would, unfortunately, eliminate the program in only a few years, but this can be avoided.”

In the FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, which includes funding for the District of Columbia, the DC school voucher program is provided funding to continue to operate for the students currently enrolled. However, the amount of funding appropriated to the program makes it clear that the objective is to eventually end the program by not allowing new students to enroll.

Burgess’ bill would eliminate the current language in the FY 2010 Financial Services Appropriations Bill that relates to the DC school voucher program. This would ensure that the program could not be terminated due to lack of funding. With the elimination of the language, new DC students can continue to be enrolled in the program.

“My bill would strike the DC school voucher-terminating language and ensure that future students will continue to have more choices and benefit from the opportunities so many have experienced through the program.”

The bill has four original co-sponsors: Congressman John Boehner (R-Ohio), the Republican Leader in the House of Representatives, Congressman John Kline (R-Minnesota), Ranking Member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Congressman Darrell Issa (R-California), Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-New Jersey), a member of the House Appropriations Committee.


Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and three of its subcommittees: Health, Energy & Environment, and Oversight & Investigations. He is also a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee. Prior to becoming a member of Congress in 2002, Congressman Burgess practiced medicine in North Texas for over 25 years.