Save D.C. Catholic schools!

It looks like the House has decided to let the D.C. voucher program survive another year; however, "Congressional Democrats seem ready to eliminate the $14.8 million program entirely in 2009. 'This year’s bill is essentially a placeholder in this debate,' said Rep. José E. Serrano, a New York Democrat who chairs the appropriations subcommittee on financial services. 'I expect that during the next year the District leaders will come forward with a firm plan for either rolling back the program, or providing some alternative options.'"

More:

Hopes are high that the attrition of schools from the D.C. parochial system has ended — but that will require Congressional action in the very near future. “I’d be very surprised if Democrats in Congress turn their backs on the inner-city poor in D.C.,” Father Nuzzi observes, “given the impact the program has made.”

But it’s a very real possibility. While the D.C. voucher program has earned the support of local leaders like Mayor Adrian Fenty and former mayors Anthony Williams and Marion Barry (now a member of the city council), Congressional Democrats remain opposed to the program. If they vote to eliminate vouchers next year, more inner-city Catholic schools may have to close their doors, regardless of archdiocesan efforts to keep them open.

Says the Fordham Foundation’s Petrilli: “Losing vouchers would be a hit for Catholic schools. And it would be bad news for everyone.”

This presents a great opportunity, it seems to me, for a "change" Democrat, who is friendly to faith and reform, to break ranks with tired anti-choice ideologies.  Anyone?