Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., has introduced legislation to repeal the federal school-choice tax credit created under President Donald Trump’s 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act.
The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act, introduced April 15, would repeal the tax code provision underpinning Trump’s school-choice program, effectively blocking it before its scheduled 2027 launch. The bill has 29 Democratic and independent co-sponsors and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
The federal program, also called the Education Freedom Tax Credit, encourages private support for school choice scholarships by giving taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar, nonrefundable credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to qualified scholarship-granting organizations. Those organizations would award scholarships to help families cover eligible expenses, including school tuition, transportation, educational materials, and services for students with disabilities. States must opt in for donors’ contributions to qualify.
Kelly argued in an X post that the federal school voucher system — which he called “one of the worst things this administration has done” — risks diverting support from public schools to private education.
Every kid deserves a fair shot, no matter their zip code or how much money their family makes. Trump’s school voucher program puts that at risk by taking money out of public schools and giving to private ones. That’s not right, so I introduced a bill to repeal it. pic.twitter.com/dVGSMcKsu3
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) April 16, 2026
“Public schools help build the strongest middle class in the world, and if we want to keep that promise alive, we need to invest in the schools that serve every kid,” he said in a video about the bill.
School choice advocates pushed back on Kelly’s characterization, noting the program relies on voluntary private donations, not direct public school funding.
Brian Jodice, national press secretary for the American Federation for Children (AFC), called Kelly’s bill “utterly absurd” on social media.
This is utterly absurd.
— Brian Jodice (@afcpress) April 16, 2026
The "voucher program" he's referencing is funded by donors (who then can get a $1700 tax credit) and can be used for scholarships for kids in... wait for it... public and private schools.
He's lying. Or hasn't actually read the law. Or both. https://t.co/ws1aZz5cWP
“The ‘voucher program’ he’s referencing is funded by donors (who then can get a $1700 tax credit) and can be used for scholarships for kids in... wait for it... public and private schools,” he said. “He's lying. Or hasn't actually read the law. Or both.”
AFC Chief State Strategy Officer Ryan Cantrell also criticized Kelly’s bill, saying in a statement that the federal tax credit “empowers taxpayers and families to direct K-12 education dollars where they see fit.” He said 29 states have already opted in.
“The fact is school choice is wildly popular, and here to stay,” Cantrell added. “We are confident this misguided effort will achieve nothing but reminding parents where their representatives stand.”