Big Changes May Be Coming to School Choice Across the U.S.

Congress is working on a big package of changes to the federal budget, and one of the proposals could make it easier for families in all 50 states to choose where their kids go to school—public or private—by offering tax credits for people who donate to school scholarship programs. President Trump has coined this legislation the “One Big, Beautiful Bill.”

What’s Budget Reconciliation?

Every year, Congress has to agree on how the government will spend its money. Normally, it takes 60 votes in the Senate to get anything major passed. But with a special process called “budget reconciliation,” they can do it with just 51 votes. Republicans currently hold a simple majority with 53 seats in the Senate, making the budget reconciliation process ideal.

What’s in the Bill?

The House of Representatives has already passed this budget bill, which includes:

Increases the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child
Establishes optional $1,000 savings accounts for newborns
Strengthens paid family leave provisions
Reduces taxes by approximately 15% for Americans earning between $30,000 and $80,000

“This bill will be the single most pro-small business, pro-family, and pro-American worker legislation ever,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared.

A Big Boost for School Choice

One part of the bill, called the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), is aimed at giving parents more control over their child’s education.

Here’s how it works:

People can donate money to scholarship organizations and get a tax cut in return
These organization give scholarships to families to help pay for things like tuition, tutoring, supplies, and other education costs
This program could help 1–2 million kids across the country and could result in at least $20 million in scholarships

Why This Matters

We believe every parent should be able to choose the best education for their child—no matter where they live or how much money they make. This bill could give millions of families that chance by helping cover the cost of different education options.