Walberg, Smith, Owens, and Cassidy Lead Bicameral Effort to Expand Educational Opportunities 

E&W Chair
September 17, 2026
Press Release

Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) joined Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in introducing the Educational Opportunities Expansion Package, two bills to strengthen his Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, a key provision of the Working Families Tax Cuts. The package aims to expand educational opportunities for students nationwide by removing the current state opt-in requirement and ensuring that scholarship donors are not restricted in their giving based on their marital status. 

"Last year, Republicans' Working Families Tax Cuts became law, delivering the largest expansion of school choice in history. I support giving every family the opportunity to benefit, providing parents with greater flexibility to choose the educational environment that best supports their child’s needs. All children deserve access to an education that helps them achieve the American Dream, no matter their background or address,”said Chairman Walberg.

"My Federal Scholarship Tax Credit marked a critical victory for educational freedom nationwide. However, I know our work is not done. This is why I introduced my Educational Opportunities Expansion Package to ensure students nationwide can reap the full benefits of these scholarships, while also protecting benefactors from penalties based on their marital status. I am grateful for the strong bicameral support of my colleagues, and I look forward to working together to build on our success,” said Smith.

“Parents know what is right for their kids much better than any bureaucrat. I’m grateful for this legislation that strengthens school choice policies which puts parents in the driver’s seat of their child’s education and ensures the student can receive the education they deserve,”said Owens. 

“As parents, we know our children better than anyone. When we put parents in charge of their child’s education, we give children the best opportunity to thrive,”said Dr. Cassidy. “Another win for School Choice!”

The Educational Opportunities Expansion Package is supported by the American Federation for Children, Invest in Education Coalition, Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Coalition Steering Committee, Ed Choice, and Agudath Israel of America.

BACKGROUND:
The Educational Opportunities Expansion Package includes two bills aimed at expanding access to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit and restoring Congressional intent following changes made during the Senate parliamentarian’s review of the 2025 reconciliation. 

  • H.R. 10412: Would repeal the state opt-in requirement for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, ensuring that every student has access to its scholarship opportunities regardless of their zip code. Click here to read the full text of H.R. 10412.
  • HR 10413: Would ensure that married taxpayers are not at a disadvantage by allowing them to claim the tax credit up to an amount that is double the cap for individual filers. Click here to read the full text of H.R. 10413.