Hey, it's an ill wind that blows nobody good, right? And the best part is that the Republicans buried this in the Defense Bill. From The New York Sun:

President Bush will soon sign into law what is being described as the largest school voucher program in American history, providing about $1.6 billion in federal money for students affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Under the law, the money can go to parochial schools.

The money is appropriated under the Hurricane Education Recovery Act, part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act. ... The funding is valid only for this academic year and sunsets in August 2006, but observers said religious schools that take in students as part of the program would likely provide scholarships for displaced students to continue at the schools if their parents cannot afford the tuition without federal assistance.

"For the first time ever," [Reg] Weaver [,president of the National Education Association] said, "taxpayers will be forced to pay for a nationwide voucher program. ... Religious schools will be allowed to receive taxpayer dollars, and proselytize and discriminate in hiring on the basis of religion." The text of the legislation does allow parents of students attending religious schools funded by the bill to "opt out" of any worship or other religious activities.

Yep, to normal Americans Katrina is a human tragedy. But to Republicans, it's a chance to experiment in winger social engineering! (Digby)