Norton Thanks Senate Democrats for Defeating Cruz Vaccine Amendment to Eliminate All Funding for D.C. Schools

February 18, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) thanked Senate Democrats for defeating yesterday by a vote of 44-49 Senator Ted Cruz's (R-TX) amendment that would have blocked all funding, including local, for District of Columbia schools. Cruz's amendment, which was offered to the latest fiscal year 2022 continuing resolution (CR), would have prohibited any funds appropriated by the CR from being provided to schools that enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students. The CR appropriates federal funds to states, D.C. and territories but also appropriates D.C.'s local funds. D.C. will enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students next school year, and D.C. currently enforces a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students participating in school-based extracurricular athletics.

"Until my D.C. statehood bill is enacted, Republicans will continue to interfere in D.C.'s laws and budget," Norton said. "It is outrageous that Congress has the power to shut down D.C.'s schools and can tell D.C. how to spend funds it raises solely from local taxes and fees."

Cruz's amendment was the 7^th bill or amendment filed this Congress to interfere with a D.C. vaccine mandate, including his second:

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced a bill that would nullify D.C.'s requirements that individuals present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain facilities and that students receive COVID-19 vaccination. (The requirement for facilities is no longer in effect.)
Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced a bill that would nullify D.C.'s requirement that individuals present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain facilities. (The requirement for facilities is no longer in effect.)
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a disapproval resolution that would block D.C.'s requirement that students receive COVID-19 vaccination.
Representative Pat Fallon (R-TX) introduced a bill that would prohibit D.C. from requiring an individual to present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to enter any building, facility or other venue.
Representative Michael Cloud (R-TX) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a disapproval resolution that would have blocked D.C.'s bill that permits minors to receive a vaccination without parental consent. Norton defeated this resolution, which has since expired, and D.C.'s bill is now law.

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