Senators Hold Hearing-Like Forum Against School Voucher Proposal

On Tuesday, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) led a Democrat-only forum titled “Scamming Our Schools: Robbing Our Students’ Futures to Line Their Pockets,” criticizing the school voucher program proposed in the pending One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The event featured experts, including Dr. John Valant (Brookings Institution), Katy Neas (CEO, ARC of the United States), Dr. Justin Henry (Superintendent, Wichita, KS), Paul Schulte (Nebraska NEA VP), and Florida educator Alexis Underwood. Speakers raised concerns about the lack of accountability in private schools, especially regarding services for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which private schools are not required to follow. Underwood emphasized that public schools serve all students and require prepared and certified teachers, unlike many private institutions. Dr. Henry warned that vouchers could drain resources from public schools, while Schulte noted that voters have rejected such programs, including in Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska in 2024. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) echoed concerns, with Van Hollen stating, “Instead of the voucher bill, we should fully fund IDEA—that would be helpful for all our kids.”

To view the event, go here.