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Nelson backs D.C. voucher pilot program

Posted Mar 17, 2010 by William March

Updated Mar 17, 2010 at 11:07 AM

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, normally an opponent of government-funded private school tuition vouchers, broke with Senate Dems yesterday to vote in favor of continuing a voucher program in the Washington, D.C. schools.

Nelson was one of three Democrats, along with Diane Feinstein of California and John Warner of Virginia, who joined 38 Republicans including George LeMieux of Florida voting yes on the measure, sponsored by independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

The bill failed, 55-42, as Olympia Snowe, R-Me, joined 54 Democrats voting no.

President Barack Obama has said he favored allowing students now in the program to remain in it, but opposed adding new ones. Lieberman’s measure would have funded the program at $20 million a year for another five years.

Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said Nelson voted in favor of establishing the program originally, that it’s supported by the Washington mayor and school chancellor, by a report from the U.S. Department of Education.