National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

Floor Speech

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Mr. McDOWELL. Mr. Chair, today I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 8800. My amendment would authorize the Secretary of War to establish a school choice pilot program for members of the Armed Forces.

Over the past 5 years the number of States that have chosen to prioritize education freedom for parents has skyrocketed. On this issue, Americans have spoken. Parents must have a bigger say in their children's education.

Despite overwhelming support, many military families are barred from participating in school choice initiatives because they are either stationed in States without school choice or they are located in one State but domiciled in another.

This amendment would authorize the War Secretary to establish a school choice pilot program for full-time Active-Duty military members.

Mr. Chair, there is no reason why parents who are dedicating their lives in service to our country should not have the same rights as other parents to decide where their kids go to school. This honors a provision in the Department's budget request.

Mr. Chair, I urge all my colleagues to support my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. McDOWELL. Mr. Chair, all this bill does is establish a pilot program so that parents serving in our military have the same rights as other parents to decide where their children go to school.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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