WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 15) — The Invest in Education Coalition (IIEC) released a statement today applauding several Members of Congress for their commitment to education freedom for America’s K-12 parents and students by supporting the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) (H.R.531) in their testimony at the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee Member Day Hearing.
The ECCA is a federal tax credit scholarship bill that would help parents of up to two million students access the school or education service that best meets their needs. Last month, IIEC launched a TV ad campaign ahead of the first GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, urging the candidates to empower parents by supporting federal school choice legislation.
“Directly empowering parents is the best way to ensure that every child has educational opportunity regardless of their family’s income or ZIP code”, said Invest in Education and Invest in Education Coalition Senior Advisor, John Schilling. “Passing the Educational Choice for Children Act will dramatically expand education freedom and opportunity across the country and puts Congress squarely on the side of America’s parents and students.”
The ECCA is supported by more than 120 members of the House and two dozen members of the Senate. Under the ECCA, scholarships are funded with private donations, not federal money, and donors receive a federal tax credit. Up to two million students from low and middle-income families across America could use scholarships for tuition, tutoring to address learning loss, special needs services, or education technology. This legislation would empower parents to choose schools that best meet their children’s needs and provide a learning environment for them to thrive.
“We thank Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith for holding this Member Day Hearing and ECCA sponsor Representative Adrian Smith. We also commend co-sponsors Representatives Burgess Owens, Elise Stefanik, Jim Jordan, Ashley Hinson, Virginia Foxx, Julia Letlow, John James, and Kat Cammack for prioritizing education freedom for K-12 parents and students through the ECCA in their testimony to the Ways and Means Committee,” Schilling said.
What Member of Congress are saying:
Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-04): “I appreciate having the opportunity to express my strong support for H.R. 531, the Educational Choice for Children Act…I am a proud original cosponsor of this bill, which could help hundreds of thousands of families cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and school supplies. It rightly affirms that educational choice should not be limited to students from families that can afford the extra costs.”
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21): “Children, regardless of their zip code, deserve access to a high-quality education, and a child should not be forced to stay in a failing school due to a lack of resources. This legislation will give parents the resources and opportunities they need to find the best environment for their child to thrive… This Educational Choice for Children Act is a fulfillment of House Republicans Commitment to America, putting students first and expanding parental choice so students can receive the education their parents know is best.”
Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman, Dr. Virginia Foxx (R-NC): “For millions of students and families across our nation, exercising choice in education means having the ability to open doors – that would have otherwise remained shut – and venture down pathways to prosperity. America’s future leaders deserve opportunities to receive a high-quality education in an environment that meets their unique and respective needs. H.R. 531 serves as a conduit through which these opportunities can be achieved… H.R. 531 is our chance to right the ship, empower both students and families, and change the trajectory of education in America for the better.”
Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05): “I also want to plug this amazing bill, the Educational Choice for Children Act from Adrian Smith and Burgess Owens. I am so excited about this bill, it’s the next step for the Parents’ Bill of Rights because it encourages school choice for our parents and gives that tax credit…Coming from higher education I don’t understand why in higher ed we attach money to the student, why are we not doing that for elementary education?”
Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04): “We’re fighting today for the heart and soul of our nation. We cannot accept that intellectual and educational failure of our own children is a norm. This legislation gives a win-win and this approach an all-in in this process. A win for the parent and participant and particularly the poor minorities to see their child reach their potential… I look forward to working with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to give these options of H.R. 531 to parents and children throughout our country.”
Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02): “Parents should be able to send their children to the school that best fits their educational needs, regardless of income or zip code. This bill expands educational freedom and opportunity for students and working families, while cutting burdensome overregulation that hinders school choice… The Educational Choice for Children Act puts students first and empowers parents to make the right choices for their family, rather than the government.”
Congressman John James (MI-10): “H.R. 531 isn’t just a bill, it’s a game-changer for millions of children around the country, many of whom have no other option… Not only is this bill common sense, it’s a no brainer. It’s also good policy, it’s the right thing to do and it’s about time that Congress and the president get on board with the desires of the parents of this nation.”
Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03): “The ECCA is the perfect complement to one of House Republicans’ top priorities, the Parents Bill of Rights. After requiring schools to provide transparency for K-12 parents, we must provide a way for parents to choose an alternative to the traditional public-school model that may not fit their values or their children’s needs. The ECCA would accomplish this task by assisting up to two million students in finding better alternatives without spending any federal dollars.”
About Invest in Education Coalition
Invest in Education Coalition is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates at the federal level for legislation that will directly empower K-12 parents throughout the nation to choose the best school or education service for their children. Invest in Education Coalition is the only national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level, working to make this goal a reality for children in all 50 states. We believe that K-12 parents should have the power to choose the best educational options for their own children. Simply put, parents should decide where their child’s education dollars are spent. To learn more, please visit investineducation.org For more information on the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), please click here.
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