The U.S. Senate parliamentarian has ruled that the tax-credit voucher provision in HR 1 cannot be included in the federal budget reconciliation bill.
Budget reconciliation is an expedited process that allows legislation to pass the U.S. Senate with only a simple majority (51 votes), bypassing the Senate filibuster rules that require a 60-vote majority. The Senate’s Byrd Rule, however, sets restrictions on the types of provisions that can be included in a reconciliation bill. Yesterday, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the tax-credit voucher provision does not meet those requirements and is subject to the higher 60-vote threshold. That is wonderful news!
But this fight is far from over, and we cannot afford to be complacent. Please continue to reach out to Senators Wicker and Hyde-Smith and ask that they oppose federal tax-credit “scholarships” for private schools or vouchers of any kind.
Please ask our U.S. Senators to oppose forcing federal vouchers, tax-credit or otherwise, into Mississippi:
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith
Mississippi Offices
Brookhaven (limited hours): 601.748.8024 Gulfport: 228.867.9710 Jackson: 601.965.4459 Oxford: 662.236.1018
Washington Office
U.S. Capitol: 202.224.5054
Senator Roger Wicker
Mississippi Offices
Gulfport: 228.871.7017 Hernando: 662.429.1002 Jackson: 601.965.4644 Tupelo: 662.844.5010
Washington Office
U.S. Capitol: 202.224.6253
Find additional contact information for your members of Congress
Thank you for your terrific work on this important issue! Vouchers of any sort would take Mississippi back decades, threatening the viability of our public schools and our local communities. It is unconscionable that the federal government would ignore the will of Mississippians and overrule our own State Legislature to force vouchers into our state. We must continue to make it clear that we are passionate about keeping vouchers out of our state and that we are paying close attention to this matter.
I promise to keep you posted as I learn more about this legislation and the fate of the voucher provision. Meanwhile, let’s stay the course and get this win across the finish line.
Our children are counting on us, and together, we’ve got this!
