S. 3710In committeeEducation
DC school voucher program set to grow funding, ease renewal rules
Data as of July 11, 2026
The bill raises annual funding for D.C.'s school voucher program from $60 million to $75 million starting in fiscal year 2027.45-second read · 5 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
This bill updates the SOAR Act governing the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which gives lower-income D.C. families vouchers for private school tuition. It allows grants to run without new competitive bidding for up to 5 years, raises funding, broadens board residency rules, expands eligible accreditation and pre-K use, and changes evaluation timing and measures.
Who does it affect?
D.C. families using or eligible for these scholarships, participating private schools, and the nonprofit organizations that run the program are affected. The Department of Education, which oversees evaluations, is also affected.
Why does it matter?
The changes give program administrators more funding and operational flexibility while reducing how often formal evaluations occur, shifting the balance between oversight and administrative discretion.
What does it cost, and who pays?
- Funding rises from $60m to $75m per year
- Increase starts fiscal year 2027
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- Senate committee — You are here
- Senate vote
- House
- President's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the President.
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Official title
SOAR Permanent Authorization Act
- Introduced:
- January 28, 2026
- Latest action:
- January 28, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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