Education Secretary Betsy DeVos unveiled a new proposal Thursday to give federal tax credits for donations made to groups offering scholarships for private schools and other programs.
The Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act would offer a 100 percent tax credit for donations made to state-run scholarship funds that support programs like private and home education, summer and after-school programs, and apprenticeships. This means donors would get back every dollar donated through their federal taxes. The program would be capped at $5 billion a year.
DeVos said the scholarships will offer more education opportunities for students who can't afford them otherwise. She also said the policy won't rely on any public education funds, and that participation in the program "would be voluntary for students, schools, and states."
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne are planning to introduce the proposal to the Senate and House, but it will likely have a hard time passing in Congress. Sen. Patty Murray, who's the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee, said in a statement DeVos' proposal is "dead on arrival."
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
