Mississippi Senate kills school choice bill without debate; ‘disappointed’ governor may call special session

In a blow to school choice supporters, the Mississippi Senate killed school choice legislation in committee Tuesday without debate.

The Senate Education Committee rejected House Bill 2, the Mississippi Education Freedom Act, with a quick chorus of “nays.” Committee Chairman Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, then reportedly declared, “The bill dies today.”

The move stunned advocates in a Republican-led state that has repeatedly failed to pass school choice legislation, even as each of its neighboring states has done so. 

“In my 23 years in public service, I’ve never been more disappointed in elected officials than I am this morning in (Lt. Gov. Delbert) Hosemann and Sen. Dennis DeBar,” Gov. Tate Reeves posted on X. “They killed a Republican legislative priority shared by conservatives all across this country, and they worked closely with the Democrats to do it. Even worse –they tried to do it in the dark and hide it from MS conservatives on a deadline day. 

“I have spent the last 23 years fighting the leftists, their liberal ideology, and the @msdemocrats’ philosophy that government knows best. They believe the people should NEVER be empowered – only the government should!” he wrote, concluding, “The Mississippi Senate Education Committee: Where conservative priorities go to die. And where the Democrat philosophy still dominates.” 

The House passed HB 2 shortly after the legislative session opened Jan. 6, launching a monthlong effort to advance the bill in the Senate. Outside groups ran ads and legislative leaders increased pressure by citing federal support for school choice under President Donald Trump. The Senate Education Committee approved other provisions, including higher pay for assistant teachers and improved interdistrict transfers, but blocked the school choice component. 

“I’m not going to discuss it much other than to say we’ve looked at it in depth,” DeBar said before the vote. 

House Speaker Jason White criticized Senate leaders for “aligning themselves with the ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, the Mississippi Democratic Party, and the status quo.” 

“The self-proclaimed deliberative body did not deliberate,” White said. “Instead of engaging in meaningful work to build on Mississippi’s education gains, the Senate has chosen to shut down any productive pathway to put students before systems. To avoid conversation, debate, or thorough evaluation is a disservice to parents, students and future generations of Mississippians.” 

National school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis also condemned lawmakers for opposing education freedom. 

“The same radical groups that fight against parental rights and educational innovation are now the Senate’s bedfellows,” DeAngelis wrote in Real Truth Media. “How can any Republican justify standing with organizations that support boys in girls’ sports, push transgender surgeries for children, and advocate for unlimited abortion? 

“The bill represents President Trump’s main education priority, backed by the Trump administration and Gov. Tate Reeves,” he wrote. “It’s a straightforward plan to let education dollars follow the child, giving families real options beyond failing government schools.” 

DeAngelis urged Reeves to call a special session if a school choice bill does not reach his desk by the end of the legislative session April 5. 

“No more delays, no more excuses. Mississippi families can’t wait another year while politicians dither,” he wrote. 

He also encouraged Reeves to follow the example of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who supported primary challenges against Republicans who opposed school choice in 2023, leading to its passage in 2025. 

The Mississippi committee’s vote came one day before more than 30,000 students in Texas signed up for that state’s new school choice program. 

Reeves said Mississippi’s recent gains in reading and math scores – known as the “Mississippi Miracle” – began only after conservatives gained control of the Legislature in 2011. 

Reeves has announced Mississippi will opt into a new federal school choice program that takes effect in January 2027. The state also operates targeted school choice programs for families of students with special needs.