In 2004, school choice finally came to the nation's capital when Congress passed a publicly funded K-12 scholarship program for low-income families in the District of Columbia – thanks to critical bipartisan support, including the backing of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams and other local leaders.  Administered by the non-profit Washington Scholarship Fund, the program successfully placed more than 1,000 students in 53 private schools in its first year.  The scholarship provides up to $7,500 low-income D.C. students to cover tuition and fees at participating private schools.

In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Cleveland’s school choice program, removing any doubt that school choice is constitutional under the federal Constitution.  Opponents of school choice have not yet filed a legal challenge against the D.C. scholarship program.