Wisconsin congressional Democrats want to repeal national voucher for education

June 11, 2026 - 18:28

Democratic members of Congress from Wisconsin gathered in Washington D.C. on Thursday to announce new legislation aimed at dismantling a national school voucher initiative. Representatives Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan stood alongside colleagues to introduce the Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act, a bill that would repeal federal tax credits and other mechanisms that allow public money to flow to private and religious schools.

The lawmakers argued that voucher programs drain resources from already underfunded public school systems. Moore stated that public dollars should stay in public classrooms, where they can support teachers, update facilities, and serve all students equally. Pocan echoed that sentiment, calling vouchers a "backdoor" effort to privatize education at the expense of working families.

The proposed act targets a federal tax-credit scholarship program that was expanded under the previous administration. Critics of vouchers say they lack accountability and often fail to improve student outcomes. Supporters of school choice, however, argue that families deserve the freedom to select the best educational setting for their children, whether public or private.

The bill faces long odds in a divided Congress, but the Wisconsin delegation pledged to keep pushing. They framed the issue as a matter of fairness, insisting that every child deserves a strong public school, regardless of their zip code.