A Republican bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Religious Education Liberty Assurance Act of 2026 or RELA Act of 2026. It amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to stop the government from interfering in private and religious schools. Specifically, the bill prohibits federal, state, and local governments from controlling scholarship granting organizations. It also stops the government from controlling private or religious elementary and secondary schools. Furthermore, the bill bans the government from excluding schools or expenses based on a school's religious character or affiliation. Finally, it protects parental rights by stopping the government from disfavoring or discouraging the use of these scholarships at private, nonprofit, and faith-based schools.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one?
The legislation supports private, nonprofit, and faith-based school options by protecting scholarship usage and school autonomy.
- Scored +7
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?
The bill explicitly prohibits discrimination against educational institutions based on their religious character or affiliation.
- Scored +4
Would children be better off under this?
The legislation protects parental rights and expands options for using scholarships at private and faith-based schools.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill restricts federal, state, and local governments from regulating or controlling certain private and religious school scholarship programs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from Government Control for Organizations: Under Section 2(h)(1), scholarship granting organizations are given maximum freedom to provide for the needs of participants without government control, and they are not regarded as acting on behalf of a governmental entity. This could be seen as positive because it keeps government interference out of how these scholarship groups operate.
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Autonomy for Private and Religious Schools: Under Section 2(h)(2)(A), the bill ensures that no government entity can mandate, direct, or control any aspect of a private or religious elementary or secondary education institution. This might be considered positive because it protects private and religious schools from government meddling in their operations.
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Fair Treatment of Religious Schools: Under Section 2(h)(2)(B) and Section 2(h)(2)(C), governments are prohibited from excluding private or religious schools from being considered qualified for educational expenses, and they cannot discriminate against a school based on its religious character, affiliation, or mission-based policies. This could be viewed as a positive benefit because it stops the government from unfairly disadvantaging faith-based schools and their expenses.
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Protection of Parental Rights: Under Section 2(h)(3), no government entity can disfavor or discourage families from using these scholarships for education expenses at private, nonprofit, or faith-based schools. This might be considered positive for parents because it safeguards their freedom to use scholarships at religious and private schools without government discouragement.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based strictly on the provided text, there are no specific provisions or sections outlined that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The legislation protects parental rights and expands options for using scholarships at private and faith-based schools. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill supports scholarship programs that can help lower-income families afford private and religious education options. Would students be better off under this? — Students benefit from enhanced protections and broader access to private and religious educational opportunities. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class families benefit from expanded choices and protections when using educational scholarships.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The legislation supports private, nonprofit, and faith-based school options by protecting scholarship usage and school autonomy.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — The bill explicitly prohibits discrimination against educational institutions based on their religious character or affiliation.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill restricts federal, state, and local governments from regulating or controlling certain private and religious school scholarship programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill protects scholarship granting organizations and private schools from government interference and control.
- 11/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/22/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Introduced in House
Sheri BiggsRepublican · South Carolina
Gabe EvansRepublican · Colorado
Michael RulliRepublican · Ohio
Adrian SmithRepublican · Nebraska