WASHINGTON — Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

HOUSE VOTES

House Vote 1

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.: The House has passed the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4901), sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. The bill would reauthorize and modify the Opportunity Scholarship Program for providing funds so students in Washington, D.C., can attend charter schools instead of poorly performing public schools. Chaffetz said the scholarship program had substantial support from D.C. residents and politicians because it has improved educational opportunities for low-income families in the District. A bill opponent, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., said the program has not improved academic achievement, and was unnecessary because D.C. students already have many options in choosing which public school to attend. The vote, on April 29, was 224 yeas to 181 nays.

NAYS: Chellie Pingree, D-1st District

YEAS: Bruce Poliquin, R-2nd District

There were no key votes in the Senate this week.

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