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Congress·In Progress·H.R. 5181

D.C. School Choice: Scholarship Program Updates

SOAR Act Improvements Act

6 months ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: Congress Moves to Permanently Expand and Fund D.C. School Voucher Program
⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill updates the program that provides private school scholarships, often called vouchers, to students in Washington, D.C. It extends the program's funding through 2032 and changes how the money is divided, putting 50% toward scholarships and 1/6 toward public school improvements.
  • The program would expand to include pre-kindergarten, allowing children to start using scholarships before they reach kindergarten. It also increases funding for tutoring by $200,000, with priority given to students who are moving out of the city's lowest-performing schools.
  • To make the program more stable, the government could renew the contracts for the organizations running the scholarships for an extra five years without a new bidding process. It also allows people living in nearby Maryland and Virginia suburbs to serve on the program's leadership board.
  • The bill changes how the program is evaluated. Instead of more frequent reports, a major study on student progress, graduation rates, and school safety would be required every seven years, with the first report due by January 2027.

Milestones

3 milestones4 actions
Sep 10, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.

Sep 10, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Sep 8, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Sep 8, 2025

Introduced in House

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 3710Related bill

SOAR Permanent Authorization Act

Jan 28 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

SOAR Act Improvements Act

Bill NumberHR 5181
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.