Jeb Bush expressed support through a spokesman Friday for a Senate measure discouraging federal incentives for states to adopt the Common Core education standards.

. @JebBush hails Senate Republicans' stand on Common Core http://t.co/wETND4VWO7 pic.twitter.com/5c7qqL3QRw

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 28, 2015

The non-binding amendment, proposed by Sen. David Vitter, R-La., and approved Thursday during a marathon voting session on the Senate budget resolution, sought to prohibit the federal government "from mandating, incentivizing or coercing states to adopt the Common Core State Standards."

Bush has faced scrutiny from conservatives for steadfastly backing the standards, in particular as he prepares to run for president. But Bush spokesman Tim Miller told the Washington Examiner Friday that the former Florida governor "applauds" Vitter's stand.

"Governor Bush applauds Senator Vitter and Republicans in the U.S. Senate for ensuring states' autonomy when it comes to adopting high standards that are right for their students," Miller said. "As Governor Bush demonstrated through his leadership in Florida, states have always been more effective at addressing policy challenges in our schools."

Jeb Bush favored among Republicans; stiff competition desired for Hillary http://t.co/L6ubKXxdXW via @DCExaminer

— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) March 29, 2015