A federal school voucher program, long sought by conservatives, may finally become reality. While school choice supporters have won battles in over a dozen red states recently, a national program has remained elusive—until now.
House Republicans have added a major proposal to the GOP-led budget reconciliation bill. This plan would provide $5 billion each year in tax breaks to families who send their children to private or religious schools.
“This is the most important education measure in our lifetime,” said Rep. Burgess Owens, a Utah Republican and longtime school choice advocate.
Owens and other supporters say the proposal would give students more options. It would allow families to choose schools beyond the public school assigned to their address.
New York Rep. Elise Stefanik echoed this, saying at a Capitol news conference, “This is about making sure kids have school options no matter what ZIP code they live in.”
However, critics argue the plan could harm public schools, especially in low-income and rural areas. They say it uses public money to support private education and offers large tax breaks mostly benefiting wealthy families.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, called vouchers “a self-serving, billionaire-backed scam that hurts kids” on social media.
During a House Ways and Means committee hearing, Alabama Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell pointed out that the proposal does not require private schools to hire state-certified teachers or provide special education services—rules that public schools must follow.
The voucher plan in the budget largely matches earlier Republican bills, though those earlier bills offered up to $10 billion in tax credits.
“It is tax policy, and fits well within reconciliation,” said Nebraska Rep. Adrian Smith, a co-sponsor of the original bill. “There is also a Senate version being developed.”
School choice has been a key part of President Donald Trump’s education agenda, though the idea is older. Josh Cowen, a Michigan State University education policy professor, said conservatives have tried for years to get the federal government involved in vouchers.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump supported school choice, saying it lets parents pick public, private, or religious schools that fit their values and needs.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has pushed this agenda. He ordered Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start downsizing the department—a longtime conservative goal—and signed several education-related executive orders.
Supporters praised House GOP leaders for including the voucher plan in the budget bill but said the proposal could change as lawmakers debate it.
Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children, said, “Many changes will happen, but we are ready to work with lawmakers so strong school choice reaches President Trump’s desk. Every child, especially those from low-income families, should have access to the school they want.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who introduced the Senate version, also welcomed the inclusion.
“I’m glad it’s part of the big, beautiful bill,” said Cassidy, who leads the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. “Expanding tax cuts and letting parents choose the best education supports the American Dream.”
But Cowen said putting vouchers in the reconciliation bill shows how hard it has been for Republicans to pass it alone. Many rural voters are skeptical because they have fewer private schools nearby.
“People don’t like this,” Cowen said. He noted that school choice ballot efforts in Kentucky and Nebraska—both states Trump won easily—failed in 2024. “Voters ask, what does this really do for me?”
If the bill passes both the House and Senate, needing just 51 votes in the Senate where Republicans hold 53 seats, and becomes law, it would create a national voucher program. This could affect blue states, some of which have already rejected vouchers.
“California is a good example,” Owens said. “Frustrated parents left out can finally say, ‘I want a choice.’ This is a remarkable gift to the country.”
Stefanik, who said she is “strongly considering” running for New York governor next year, said education would be a key issue in her campaign. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul could face challenges as she seeks a second full term.
“Education will be front and center,” Stefanik said. “New York spends more per student than any state but still sees rising absenteeism and failing schools. We must do better for kids.”
