Moore, Bonamici, Frost, Grijalva, and Pocan Introduce Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026

This press release from Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI) was published on 2026-06-11 and titled "Moore, Bonamici, Frost, Grijalva, and Pocan Introduce Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026".

Moore, Bonamici, Frost, Grijalva, and Pocan Introduce Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026

Moore, Bonamici, Frost, Grijalva, and Pocan Introduce Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 Today, Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), and Mark Pocan (WI-02) are introducing legislation to repeal the national federal tax credit voucher scheme included in the Republicans’ so-called Big, Beautiful Bill. Voucher schemes divert public funding into private schools that lack proper accountability and oversight. Private schools can pick and choose who they admit and lack protections for students with disabilities. In Wisconsin, Governor Evers vetoed legislation that would have opted Wisconsin into this program, further expanding vouchers in the state. “In states across the country, charter school programs often operate with little transparency, sap funding from public schools, and primarily benefit wealthy students. In Wisconsin, taxpayers are paying $700 million this year alone for vouchers, and nearly all this money is funneled into religious schools. Instead of investing in our public schools, which educate most of America’s students, Republicans used taxpayer funds to create a national voucher scheme. As a proud product of public schools, I am honored to spearhead legislation with my colleagues that reverses this scheme and stands up for public education,” said Representative Gwen Moore (WI-04) . "The federal government is responsible for ensuring equitable access to high-quality, well-funded public education. Instead, in the 'Big Ugly Bill,' Congressional Republicans created a federal school voucher scheme that will funnel public dollars away from public schools to help subsidize private schools for wealthy families," said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce. "That is why I am proud to support the Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 to undo the harm caused by Republicans' 'Big Ugly Bill' and ensure that public dollars are spent on public education." “Public schools welcome and educate every child regardless of their background or income, and public funding should stay in public schools,” said Representative Suzanne Bonamici . “The Big Ugly Bill’s voucher scam is a backdoor way to dismantle public education and divert public resources into private institutions - including religious schools. Research consistently shows that the majority of families participating in voucher programs already send their children to private schools. We must keep federal funding in public schools where all students can benefit." “Florida should be a warning about what happens when public education dollars are diverted into private voucher programs,” said Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10). "We’ve watched public school funding flow into private voucher programs that lack the transparency, oversight and protections families deserve. Congress should be strengthening public schools, not exporting Florida’s mistakes nationwide. That’s why I’m proud to help lead the Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act.” "Arizona's misguided experiment with universal private school vouchers should serve as a warning to the rest of the country. We've watched public education dollars be diverted into a system plagued by abuse," said Representative Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07). "The federal government should not replicate this failed program on a national scale. The Keep Public Dollars in Public Schools Act will help ensure federal taxpayer dollars strengthen the public schools that serve the overwhelming majority of America's children, not subsidize privatization schemes rife with fraud." “As a proud public school graduate, I know firsthand the value and importance of our public education system,” said Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) . “Fixing this blatant abuse of the tax system will help kids across the country, not just those whose parents are members of Mar-a-Lago. I applaud my friend, Rep. Moore, for spearheading this legislation, and I’m glad to be part of this effort to keep public funds in public schools.” “As governor and a former educator, I’ve spent decades of my life watching the impacts that draining public funds from public schools to fund private voucher school programs has had on kids, schools, and public education in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers . “Republicans in Washington have given private voucher expansion carte blanche to run roughshod over public education in this country—and a blank check to do so at taxpayer expense—clearly without any regard for whether it actually does what is best for kids. It’s wrong-headed and does nothing to address the real problems our public schools are facing. I am glad to support Congresswoman Moore and Congressman Pocan’s work to repeal this dangerous and harmful law and instead ensure our kids and schools are given real, meaningful resources they need to thrive.” “Every student deserves a fully-funded public school in their neighborhood that prepares t