The two other Cabinet jobs that Bush has yet to fill are labor secretary and energy secretary. As he tries to wrap up his Cabinet selections, Bush also is weighing how to present his education proposals to Congress. He has said improving public schools is his No. 1 priority, and lawmakers are certain to see his proposals just after he takes office Jan. 20. Key elements of the plan include flexibility for states and local districts in their education programs, and increased student testing. Using public money to allow students to go to private schools is commonly known as voucher programs, and it is the most divisive issue in Bush's plan, one sure to spark a debate in Congress.
Proponents call it school choice.
Given the disputed presidential election and the slender advantage Republicans hold on Capitol Hill, Bush cannot force his programs through Congress. Nevertheless, advisers say he will stick with some form of his campaign proposal to allow parents with kids in chronically ailing schools to spend federal education funds as they choose. Fleischer disputed a report in Tuesday's Washington Post that Bush is likely to drop the voucher proposal because too many members of Congress oppose it. A top adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, added that Bush might be open to discussing a mix of private and public school choice. He noted that Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., has favored public school choice.