Sen. Ted Cruz said Tuesday that school choice is the most important domestic issue of our time.
The Republican senator was joined by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Kellyanne Conway (ex-senior counselor to President Donald Trump). Conway noted that a child with a poor education is more likely to face poverty, crime, or addiction later in life. Cruz explained that children who are well-educated have lower risks.
Cruz has been a strong advocate for school choice throughout his almost 10 years in the Senate. He amended to the Senate’s 2017 tax reform bill by extending 529 college savings plans, which provide certain tax advantages for savings accounts used for education, to elementary and secondary school tuition. This amendment also applies to private and religious schools.
His efforts to rally his coworkers in 2017 were successful. All 50 Republican senators voted in support of the amendment. Sen. Joe Manchin, D.W.V., originally supported it. But once he sat down, a “sea of Democrats descended upon him,” Cruz said.
“Rather sheepishly,” Cruz explained, “Manchin changed his vote from a yes to a no.”
The Senate was split 50-50. The tie was broken by Vice President Mike Pence late that night. Student Opportunity AmendmentThe bill was passed and enacted later.
Cruz said this victory was “the single most far-reaching federal school choice act ever adopted in law.”
Cruz however criticized Democrats’ positions on school choice. The Texas senator said that school choice has gained traction among parents in every state—especially among Hispanic and African American voters. Democrats’ opposition to school choice is “indefensible,” Cruz remarked.
Cruz further criticized Democrats, saying they remained in the pocket of teachers’ unions. “They don’t give a damn that large numbers of blacks and Hispanics support school choice,” he added.
Donalds compared schools to other businesses in his remarks. Donalds explained that schools are just like any other business and want to gain market share. Public schools don’t have to improve quality or efficiency.
“Compare this with telecommunication,” said Donalds. “Imagine if the government provided your phone. You’d still be using a Motorola StarTAC.”
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