Rep. Crank Introduces Bill to Expand Educational Freedom

October 9, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05) introduced the Religious Education Liberty Assurance (RELA) Act, to ensure that Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) dollars go to all students, including those who attend a private or religious school. Created as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, the EFTC allows taxpayers to donate annually up to $1,700 per person to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. SGOs use this money to provide tuition assistance, free or reduced-cost tutoring, educational supplies, and many other tools and resources for families and students who need them. States must opt-in to the tax credit for SGOs and families to be eligible, and so far, 30 states have done so, including Colorado. The RELA Act would prevent states that opt-in from discriminating against religious or private schools, allowing the funds raised through the EFTC program to be available for use at all schools, in any education context, and for all children, regardless of whether the education provided is faith-based or not. “Our nation’s families deserve the right to decide where their children receive education,” said Rep. Crank. “The RELA Act expands educational freedom by making sure private and religious schools are not shut out, so every family can use these resources to find the right path for their child.” Quotes of support for the RELA Act: “Parents should be able to choose the education that is right for their children without government interference, and the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) should be able to serve families without unnecessary government control,” said P. George Tryfiates, VP for Public Policy and Legal Affairs, Association of Christian Schools International. “The Religious Education Liberty Assurance Act makes clear that states may not exclude or discriminate against private and religious schools participating in the tax credit. After all, there is no meaningful school choice without religious schools. The Association of Christian Schools International, which represents millions of students, parents, and faculty worldwide is grateful for Rep. Crank’s leadership in recognizing the important role that educational freedom, parental choice, and religious liberty play in ensuring families have meaningful options for their children’s education.” “Families should never face religious discrimination when choosing the education that is right for their children," said the Family Policy Alliance. "As a national organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Family Policy Alliance is especially grateful to Congressman Jeff Crank for leading the Religious Education Liberty Assurance Act. We know how important strong religious liberty protections are in Colorado, and families and faith-based schools across the country deserve those same protections. The RELA Act will help ensure that no state can exclude or discriminate against families and schools simply because of their faith. We’re proud to support Congressman Crank’s leadership in defending religious freedom and educational opportunity for families nationwide.” “Parents Defending Education Action is pleased to support Rep. Jeff Crank’s Religious Education Liberty Assurance (RELA) Act of 2026," said Terry Stoops, Director of Government Affairs at Parents Defending Education Action. " The RELA Act of 2026 will prevent attempts to both undermine the exercise of citizens’ First Amendment rights and to disadvantage faith-based elementary and secondary schools that will benefit greatly from the Education Freedom Scholarship Tax Credit. Rep. Crank's timely legislation insulates communities of faith from hostile government actors and ensures they will be able to freely participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship Tax Credit.” Read the bill here. Issues : Education