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August 11, 2021


Dear Members of Congress,


The last year and a half has taught American families that choice, flexibility, and parental control in education are more important than ever before. In part due to the decision many district schools made to remain closed for in-person learning for most of the last school year, homeschool rates are skyrocketing and enrollment at private schools, which largely stayed open after the initial several months of the pandemic, are burgeoning as well.


Independent Women’s Voice, the leading national women’s organization dedicated to expanding support for common sense public policies among women, independents, millennials, and GenZ, is proud to support the Student Empowerment Act, sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Jason Smith. This bill would allow 529 accounts–which help families save more of their own money for educational expenses–to be used for all elementary and secondary school students’ educational expenses, including those who are homeschooled.

529 accounts have already been expanded to include private schools, but homeschoolers were excluded by a bit of legislative gamesmanship. This bill rectifies that, and ensures that the growing ranks of homeschooling families can more easily save up for curriculum materials, tutoring, testing fees, and more.


We thank Senator Cruz and Representative Smith for their leadership on this important issue. IWV applauds this bill, which delivers flexibility and opportunity to American families, and urges all Members of Congress to work toward its swift passage.


Respectfully,


Hadley Heath Manning
Director of Policy
Independent Women’s Voice