Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Jim Banks (R-IN) are once again pushing to boost educational opportunities for military families through a new proposal that would help them establish Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).
The Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2025, reintroduced last week, would allow families of active-duty military personnel to opt into a federally backed ESA program. These accounts would provide $6,000 annually per child to help cover education-related expenses ranging from private school tuition and online learning programs to tutoring and college prep courses.
“School choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st century,” Cruz said in a recent press release. “Parents should never have to choose between serving their country and ensuring that their children have access to a quality education.”
Sen. Banks echoed Cruz, arguing that the bill could also support military readiness by reducing one of the key stress points for military families—finding good education options for their kids.
“This bill supports military readiness by helping attract and retain top talent, ensuring service members don’t have to sacrifice their children’s education. Proud to partner with Senator Cruz on this commonsense bill,” Banks said.
Heritage Action, a conservative policy advocacy group, is championing the legislation. It praised the move as a crucial step toward giving military families more control over their children’s education.
“Military families deserve the freedom and flexibility to educate their children in alignment with their values and unique needs. They should never have to choose between serving our country and providing their children with a quality education,” said Ryan Walker, executive vice president of Heritage Action.
Under the proposal, funds in an ESA could roll over year to year, with leftover amounts eligible for use toward higher education or professional training after high school for certain families. The accounts are parent-controlled and designed to adapt to the often mobile or unpredictable lifestyle associated with military service, according to Cruz’s office.
Cruz previously introduced a similar version of the bill in 2023, but it stalled in committee. With a renewed push and growing support for school choice in conservative circles, many military families may hold new hope that the revamped bill will gain more traction in 2025.