Orthodox Union Advocacy Center Hails Senate Passage of Landmark School Choice Bill
Posted on July 1, 2025 In Press Releases
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Orthodox Union Advocacy Center (OUA) celebrated the Senate’s historic vote today to include the revised Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) in the “one big beautiful bill,” marking the most significant federal action ever taken to make private education more affordable for American families.
The newly revised legislation creates the largest and most promising federal school choice program ever enacted by Congress. Key provisions include:
- A 100% federal tax credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs), up to $1,700 per donor;
- No national cap on the total credits that may be claimed each year;
- A permanent program with no sunset date;
- An annual opt-in process requiring each state’s governor (or designated official) to submit eligible SGOs to the federal government;
“This is a groundbreaking moment for school choice and for Jewish families who strive to provide their children with a strong, values-based education,” said Nathan Diament, Executive Director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center. “We’re profoundly grateful to Senators Bill Cassidy, Tim Scott, Ted Cruz, and Majority Leader John Thune for fighting to secure this measure and push it over the finish line in the Senate.”
OUA emphasized that while the Senate’s action is historic, the work is not done: the bill must still pass the House, and then the Trump administration must implement supportive regulations. OU Advocacy will also mobilize to ensure that governors opt into the program, as required by the new version of the bill, so that every family can benefit.
“This victory shows what’s possible when we keep pushing, but it’s only the beginning,” Diament added. “We won’t rest until every Jewish child can access an affordable Jewish education.”