Here’s one more United States senator to add to your list of annoying congresscritters sticking their nose in the District’s business. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) has created an income test for participation in D.C.’s Tuition Assistance Grant Program, which provides financial aid for residents at all public and some private universities around the country.

The program is designed to ensure that D.C. residents have the same opportunities as all other Americans to attend a university at a discounted, in-state tuition rate. Coburn wants to prevent families earning $1 million or more from participating in the program. While it might sound reasonable, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton has pointed out that this kind of income test does not apply in any other state.

Thanks to the rules which allow a single senator to hold up any bill related to the District just because they feel like it, Democrats have decided not to fight the income test for fear that the entire program could end up in jeopardy. And just in case you were wondering, Sen. Coburn also voted against allowing the D.C. voting rights to move forward earlier this week.

If you’d like to let Sen. Coburn know how you feel about his treatment of the District, you can reach him at the contact info below:

172 Russell Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5754 (phone)
202-224-6008 (fax)
Or email him here