WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats have dealt a setback to a Republican-sponsored school voucher program that gives schoolchildren in the nation's capital the chance to attend private schools.
The Senate voted 50-39 along mostly party lines to reject a bid by Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign to extend the program beyond the 2009-2010 school year. That leaves in place a provision contained in a huge spending bill that requires Congress and the Washington, D.C. government to re-approve the program. Republicans say that is likely to kill it.
About 1,700 mostly low-income and minority students kids receive the $7,500 vouchers, which offer an alternative to the troubled D.C. school system.
The White House is not fond of the program but issued a statement saying currently enrolled kids should not have their educations disrupted.
Vote was actually 58 - 39
Roll call 
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