Senate narrowly passes ‘big, beautiful bill,’ keeps national school choice provision

The Republican-controlled Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s budget bill by a 51-50 vote Tuesday, and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, fought to keep national school choice in the bill.

Speaking at 2:17 a.m., Cruz lambasted Democrats for trying to remove the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) from the mammoth spending proposal. 

In the current version, the measure would allow individuals to claim tax credits up to $1,700 that would fund private school choice scholarships.

“Across America, millions of children, especially low income, African American and Hispanic children, are trapped in failing schools,” he said during a marathon, 24-hour session that led up to the vote. “They face crime and violence and despair without the ability to learn and prosper. They are denied a fair shot at the American dream. 

“School choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st Century. Every child, regardless of race or wealth or ethnicity, deserves access to an excellent education. This tax credit provision will unleash billions of dollars every single year for scholarships for kids to attend the K through 12 school of their choice.”

The Texas Republican criticized Democrats as “more beholden to teacher union bosses than they are dedicated to fighting for kids.” He added, “Dr King’s dream will take a major step forward tonight, as every kid in America will have a chance at an excellent education.”

The move brought praise from school choice advocates, including Tommy Schultz of the American Federation for Children, who posted, “Millions of lower income families thank you for your courage, Senator,” and the Invest in Education Coalition, which heralded the “historic day for the school choice movement” and “financial lifeline” for families seeking alternatives to public education.

Norton Rainey, CEO of Ace Scholarships, which maintains scholarship programs in various states, praised the move and called for the bill’s swift passage.

“Both chambers have now advanced their support for school choice,” he said in a release. “With the Senate giving its seal of approval, we look to the House to finish the job and send this historic legislation to President Trump’s desk.”

If approved, the legislation would open school choice to all states, not just the 35 that currently have programs.  
 
“After decades of tireless advocacy, the dream of nationwide educational freedom is now coming true,” Rainey continued. “The changes made in the Senate still reflect a meaningful commitment to expanding K-12 educational opportunities for families in every corner of the country.”

The budget now goes back to the House, which faces pressure to pass it before Trump’s July 4 deadline.

The Senate battle was contentious, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after three Republicans – Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky,  Susan Collins of Maine, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is retiring, joined all 47 Democrats in opposing it.

The bill makes Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, instead of letting them expire. It also includes various spending cuts, although it is still forecast to raise the federal deficit $3.3 trillion over the next nine years, or nearly $1 trillion more than the House version, the Associated Press reports. 

Both chambers proposed revisions to Medicaid that could see between 10 million and 12 million fewer people being eligible over the next decade, the Congressional Budget Office predicts.

The House will now have to decide whether to accept the Senate’s changes.

This is a breaking story and may be updated.