U.S. SENATORS KATIE BRITT, BILL CASSIDY, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BILL TO EXPAND SCHOOL CHOICE AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 27, 2023 – United States Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today announced that she joined Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Congressman Adrian Smith (R-Nebr.), and a bicameral coalition of colleagues in introducing the Educational Choice for Children Act to expand educational freedom and opportunity for students.

“Parents and families know best, and they should be in control of their individual child’s education,” said U.S. Senator Katie Britt.“Granting educational freedom nationwide would unlock the American Dream for millions of children, including in communities across Alabama. I will continue to fight to ensure that every single child in Alabama has a pathway to achieve their full potential and secure the bright future that they deserve. I am grateful for the incredible educators who work tirelessly throughout the year to help make that a reality.”

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 under the legislation. Eligible use of scholarship awards includes tuition, fees, book supplies, and equipment for the enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school.

Senator Britt has also cosponsored a bipartisan resolution and released a statement in support of the annual National School Choice Week, which runs this year from January 22 through January 28, 2023.

When it comes to education, Senator Britt believes that one size does not fit all. Every family should be empowered to make the best possible choice for their child’s education. For many, that may be their local traditional public school; for others, it might be a traditional public school elsewhere; it could be a public charter or magnet school; it may be a private school; it could be a trade school; it could be home schooling; or it could be a virtual academy or hybrid solution.

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