U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) last week applauded the inclusion of their bicameral bill to provide school choice in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, H.R. 1, signed into law on Friday.
The Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025, S. 292, which Sen. Cassidy sponsored on Jan. 29 alongside 26 original Republican cosponsors, will allow a credit against tax for charitable donations to nonprofit organizations providing education scholarships to qualified elementary and secondary students.
“Parents should decide where their kids go to school. This bill helps them do that,” Sen. Cassidy said. “I am grateful to see President Trump sign the first federal school choice bill into law as a part of the One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Rep. Smith on Jan. 31 sponsored the identical H.R. 833 in the U.S. House with 32 original Republican cosponsors.
“Passage of [this bill] is a historic moment for educational freedom and parents’ ability to choose the best option for their children,” said Rep. Smith. “Students deserve the opportunity to succeed in the setting which best meets their needs, and this investment will open new doors for millions of American families.”
Specifically, the measure provides a charitable donation incentive for individuals and businesses to fund scholarship awards for students to cover expenses related to K-12 public and private education, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.