Ranking Member Scott Statement on the Trump Administration’s National School Voucher Scheme
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s new proposed rule, entitled “Federal Scholarship Tax Credit.”
“America's public school system is founded on the promise that all students should have access to a high-quality public education. Today, the Treasury Department issued a proposed rule to implement the massive federal voucher scheme that was included in the Republicans’ ‘Big Ugly Bill.’ The program effectively diverts billions of taxpayer dollars away from public schools through the voucher program to subsidize private school education. Today’s proposal goes even further by prohibiting states from adding requirements to ensure the program meaningfully benefits public schools and the students who attend them. It also prohibits states from adding additional requirements to ensure students do not face discrimination when accessing educational services.
“Voucher schemes are inefficient, ineffective, and an expensive tool to privatize public education. If just 20 percent of eligible donors participate in the voucher scheme, the cost to the taxpayer would be roughly $37.6 billion — more than all federal spending on Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) combined. Meanwhile, data from existing state voucher programs shows that most students who benefit from those programs are already enrolled in private schools. Yet ninety percent of America’s children attend public schools. Despite this, public education has gone underfunded for decades. Without long term, sustained federal investment, schools and educators lack the resources they need to teach all students effectively.
“Moreover, when federal dollars go to public schools, schools are required to use that money to serve all students equally without discrimination. By funneling these dollars into private schools, taxpayers are unwittingly paying for schools that neglect underprivileged communities, are permitted to ignore civil rights laws, and can freely discriminate against students without accountability.
“Public dollars should be spent on public education. Just imagine what we could do if this money were used to improve all of America’s public schools instead. Democrats are committed to investing in public education for all communities — not just the privileged few.”
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