GOP Tax Bill Sneaks In National Private School Voucher Program

A national school voucher program advanced toward potential legislation on Wednesday, intensifying discussions around school choice in the United States.

The U.S. House has proposed a $5 billion annual allocation in tax credits for donations to organizations offering private and religious school scholarships. This initiative is part of a larger package being considered by the Ways and Means Committee to support President Donald Trump’s agenda.

This tax credit framework aligns closely with the Educational Choice for Children Act, a broad measure that Republican Representatives Adrian Smith of Nebraska and Burgess Owens of Utah, along with Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, reintroduced earlier this year.

On Wednesday, the tax-writing committee pushed the measure forward with a party-line vote. Republicans are utilizing the reconciliation process, which allows passage through simple majority votes, effectively bypassing the Senate’s 60-vote requirement for legislation.

The term “school choice” encompasses various alternatives to traditional public education. Advocates argue such programs are crucial for parents dissatisfied with existing public schools. In contrast, critics contend that these initiatives divert essential funding away from public education systems.

At a press conference, Rep. Elise Stefanik expressed strong support for the Educational Choice for Children Act, calling it a transformative legislation aimed at enhancing educational access nationwide.

“Students, particularly in underserved communities, have remained confined to inadequate school systems for too long,” Stefanik stated. She emphasized that school choice is a pathway to success and a means of leveling the playing field.

The proposed legislation outlines a total tax credit of $20 billion over four years, providing $5 billion annually from 2026 to 2029. Scholarships would target students from households earning no more than 300 percent of their area’s median gross income.

Sasha Pudelski, advocacy director at AASA, The School Superintendents Association, voiced significant concerns. “This represents an unprecedented federal subsidy for a private education system that can selectively decide who is educated and how,” she remarked.

This contentious proposal arises as Trump has prioritized school choice within his educational policies. Earlier this year, he signed an executive order directing the U.S. Secretary of Education to develop guidelines for states on utilizing federal funds for K-12 educational choice initiatives.

Opposition has emerged from organizations advocating for students with disabilities, including the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the Council for Exceptional Children. They argue the legislation lacks adequate protections for students with disabilities, which could leave families misled about their rights under the voucher program.

In a statement, Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, highlighted that the assertion of rights for students with disabilities using these vouchers is misleading without sufficient provisions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

“Families may choose a voucher believing their child will receive the same rights, only to find this is not the case,” Rodriguez warned.