Katrina Education Funding Hurts Christian Schools

I feel that a U.S. Senate bill designed to aid students displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita discriminates against Christian schools because of their faith-based instruction.
The legislation, sponsored by Republican Mike Enzi and Democrat Ted Kennedy, would allow both public and private schools to receive up to $6,000 reimbursement for each displaced student they serve, but would forbid the aid from being used for "religious instruction, indoctrination, or worship."

I am deeply concerned that this bill penalizes those hurricane-displaced parents who have chosen to put their kids in a Christian environment. Additionally, there are many Christian schools who have welcomed students from all over the hurricane ravaged area to continue their education without a cost. The effect of this bill is to punish these Christian educational institutions for reaching out to help families and kids in time of need.

The aid, which should follow students who have been displaced by the hurricanes, would be useless to them if they find themselves in a Christian school setting. It seems our federal government is so afraid that funding might be used for a religious function that they are willing to hamper a child's education to prevent it. So in essence this bill could end up perpetuating the misery of these storms by banning emergency aid from many who need it most. It really boils down to an issue of fairness and equity.

Instead of the Enzi-Kennedy bill, I support a measure introduced by House Education and Workforce Committee chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Congressman Bobby Jindal (R-Louisiana). Their bill would create "Family Education Reimbursement Accounts" for families and students impacted by the hurricanes, money that would follow students wherever their parents put them in school.

This simple proposal would prevent the government from dictating where parents send their children to school in order to receive the aid.If we truly want to help families devastated by these hurricanes, we will extend needed funding to all institutions that are reaching out in time of need. Christian schools have really stepped up to the plate, opening their doors to thousands of students whose classrooms and schools have been destroyed. I applaud this common sense legislation and strongly encourage our senators to consider its merits.