Provision Stripped Out of Final Tax Bill by Senate Democrats
U.S. Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) announced today he will introduce legislation to ensure homeschool families can use 529 savings plans to cover education expenses.
The newly passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act originally included a provision that Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Messer had fought for to allow families, including homeschoolers, to use 529 accounts to save for elementary, secondary and higher education. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged education savings plan designed to help families save for costs of education.
Hours before the final vote on the tax bill, however, Senate Democrats specifically targeted homeschool families by raising a procedural objectionthat ultimately excluded them from the 529 expansion.
“In a last ditch effort to obstruct the President’s tax cut plan, Senate Democrats targeted a provision that would have helped two million homeschooled students across America,” Messer said. “All this tactic did was delay final passage of the bill by one day, but it will hurt homeschooled children long-term. This is unacceptable. Our legislation will make sure homeschool families have the same opportunities and resources that every other student has.â€
Messer has introduced legislation expanding 529 savings plans in every session of Congress since he’s been elected. As founder and co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, Messer has championed expanded choice for parents and consistently fought for more opportunities for students.
In Indiana, roughly 40,000 students are homeschooled.
