A Victory for Religious Freedom and Public Education

The Senate Parliamentarian just struck a major blow to efforts to undermine public education and erode the separation of religion and government. The proposed national school voucher program, modeled on the so-called Educational Choice for Children Act, has been removed from the Senate’s budget reconciliation package after being ruled in violation of the Byrd Rule.

This provision would have diverted billions of public dollars to fund private and religious schools that are not subject to the same civil rights protections or accountability standards as public schools. It was a clear threat to both educational equity and religious freedom.

Interfaith Alliance was proud to be among the more than 60 faith-based organizations and over 260 faith leaders who spoke out against this dangerous scheme. Faith communities across the country joined together to call on Congress to reject this misuse of taxpayer funds and defend the foundational American principle that no one should be forced to fund religious education with their tax dollars.

"Vouchers are deeply unpopular with voters of both major political parties," said Interfaith Alliance President & CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush. "The Senate Parliamentarian's decision to strip the first-ever national voucher scheme out of the Big, Beautiful Bill means that ultra-wealthy and Christian-nationalist backers of vouchers won't get to ram this through Congress against the will of the American people. Removing the national voucher scheme from the reconciliation bill is a big, beautiful win for our public schools and religious freedom."

This decision is a testament to the power of faith voices united in defense of the public good. While we celebrate this important win, we remain vigilant. Any effort to advance a federal voucher program, by any name or process, will continue to face strong, organized opposition from communities of faith committed to inclusive, accountable, and truly free public education.

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