SC Nebraska News

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) have reintroduced the Educational Choice for Children Act in Washington, D.C. The proposed legislation aims to broaden educational opportunities for students by providing incentives for charitable donations from individuals and businesses to fund scholarships for K-12 public and private education.

Rep. Smith stated, “Giving students a brighter future, no matter their background or address, is critical to move American K-12 education forward.” He emphasized the importance of parental choice in education settings, asserting that the act would benefit students across public, private, and homeschool environments.

Rep. Owens highlighted the significance of the bill as a priority for Congress, saying it "puts power where it belongs—in the hands of families, not bureaucracies." He argued that it would allow parents more freedom in choosing educational paths for their children by providing access to scholarships covering tuition and supplies.

Sen. Cassidy added that empowering parents with decision-making abilities prioritizes children's needs: “More freedom empowers parents and allows American children to thrive in school.”

The act proposes $10 billion annually in tax credits administered by the Treasury Department. It adopts a limited government approach without imposing mandates on states or localities and includes guidelines for Scholarship Granting Organizations to determine scholarship amounts.

Tim Walberg, Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, expressed support for the bill: “Strengthening school choice policies can improve the lives of children across America.”

The legislation is supported by various cosponsors from different states and has received endorsements from several prominent figures and organizations including former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Louisiana State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley.

Anthony de Nicola from Invest in Education Coalition commended Rep. Smith's efforts: “I applaud Congressman Smith for introducing the Educational Choice for Children Act in the House.”

This reintroduction follows previous sponsorships by over 180 members of Congress during its initial presentation.