Smith, Owens, Cassidy, Colleagues Reintroduce Educational Choice for Children Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) reintroduced the Educational Choice for Children Act, bicameral legislation to expand education freedom and opportunity for students. Specifically, it provides a charitable donation incentive for individuals and businesses to fund scholarship awards for students to cover expenses related to K-12 public and private education.

“Giving students a brighter future, no matter their background or address, is critical to move American K-12 education forward,” said Rep. Smith. “We must empower parents with more options, acknowledging they have the final say in what educational setting is best for their children. ECCA will benefit public, private, and homeschool students and increase the quality of education in our country. I thank Rep. Owens and Sen. Cassidy for championing this legislation alongside me.”

"The Educational Choice for Children Act is a top priority for the 119th Congress because it puts power where it belongs—in the hands of families, not bureaucracies," said Rep. Owens. "This bill gives parents the freedom to choose the best educational path for their children, opening doors for millions of students nationwide to access scholarships for tuition, books, and supplies—whether they’re in public school, private school, or learning at home. The days of tolerating a one-size-fits-all system that traps students in mediocrity are over. We will keep fighting to ensure that every child has a future filled with hope, opportunity, and the tools to achieve their American Dream, regardless of their race, income, or zip code."

“Parents want to see their child succeed. Giving them the ability to make decisions over their child’s education puts that child’s needs first,” said Dr. Cassidy. “More freedom empowers parents and allows American children to thrive in school.”

“As policymakers, we should pave the way for students to succeed—not hold them back,” said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg. “Strengthening school choice policies can improve the lives of children across America. I am pleased to support Rep. Adrian Smith’s Educational Choice for Children Act, which will expand education freedom.”

The Educational Choice for Children Act:
-Provides $10 billion in annual tax credits to be made available to taxpayers. Allotment of these credits to individuals would be administered by the Treasury Department.
-A base amount will be set for each state and then the credits are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
-Uses a limited government approach with respect to federalism, thus avoiding mandates on states, localities, and school districts.
-Includes provisions that govern Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), as SGOs are given the ability to determine the individual amount of scholarship awards.

An estimated two million students in any elementary or secondary education setting, including homeschool, are eligible to receive a scholarship. Eligible use of scholarships awards includes tuition, fees, book supplies, and equipment for the enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school.

House cosponsors of the bill include Representatives Burgess Owens (R-UT), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Rick Allen (R-GA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Dan Meuser (R-PA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Blake Moore (R-UT), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Vince Fong (R-CA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), John Rose (R-TN), Randy Weber (R-TX), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Greg Murphy (R-NC), and Ben Cline (R-VA).

The Educational Choice for Children Act has received endorsement from former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos; former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Dr. Mick Zais; former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr; Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley; LA Kids Matter; Louisiana Family Forum; Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors; ACE Scholarships Louisiana Founder Eddie Rispone; ACE Scholarships; Invest in Education Coalition; ACSI Children’s Education Fund; America First Policy Institute; American Association of Christian Schools; American Federation for Children (AFC); American Principles Project; Americans for Tax Reform; Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI); Black Mothers Forum; U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); Catholic Education Partners; CatholicVote; Center for Education Reform; Children’s Scholarship Fund; Club for Growth; Coalition for Jewish Values; Agudath Israel of America; Orthodox Union Advocacy; Republican Jewish Coalition; Concerned Women for America; Council for American Private Education (CAPE); Defense of Freedom Institute (DFI); Family Policy Alliance; Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd); Freedom Foundation; Heartland Institute; Heritage Action for America; Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA); Independent Women’s Forum; Mountain States Policy Center; Parental Rights Foundation; Parents Defending Education Action; Partners in Mission; Project 21; Protect the First; 60Plus Association; Former Virginia & Florida Secretary of Education Gerard Robinson; several other conservative leaders; and more than 150 national and state groups.

“School choice empowers parents, regardless of their ZIP code, to choose the education that best fits their child’s need,” said Anthony de Nicola Chairman of the Board, Invest in Education Coalition. “I applaud Congressman Smith for introducing the Educational Choice for Children Act in the House. Now is our time to pass this critical legislation that would help millions of students access an education of their choosing so they can achieve their God-given potential.”