Introduction
On August 5, 2026, former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the creation of a new national advocacy organization, Empowering America’s Parents, to promote President Donald Trump’s federal Education Freedom Tax Credit. The move marks Youngkin’s return to the education arena that propelled him to prominence during his 2021 gubernatorial campaign, where parents’ rights were a central theme.
Key Initiatives and Target States
The group plans to spend millions on a multimillion‑dollar advertising campaign directed at states that have not yet adopted the tax credit. Initial targets include the battleground states of Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—each led by Democratic governors. A source familiar with the strategy told CBS News that the messaging will focus on suburban voters who favor school choice but may be unaware of the new program.
According to the organization’s website, Empowering America’s Parents aims to place parents “at the head of the table” by increasing transparency in public education and expanding educational choice. The first effort will highlight the tax credit as a “game‑changing scholarship program,” with Youngkin emphasizing that it does not rely on state tax dollars but on private contributions paired with a federal credit.
Details of the Education Freedom Tax Credit
The Education Freedom Tax Credit, enacted as part of the 2025 tax‑and‑spending law, allows taxpayers to claim a dollar‑for‑dollar, nonrefundable federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 for cash donations made to approved scholarship‑granting organizations. Contributions beginning in January 2027 will qualify for the credit.
Eligible families are those whose household income does not exceed 300 % of the area’s median income. Scholarships can be used for private or religious‑school tuition, tutoring, books, classroom supplies, online courses, career‑training expenses, and support services for students with disabilities. Homeschoolers and public‑school students may also benefit.
Youngkin’s organization stresses that the program’s reliance on private donations and a federal tax credit means it does not directly reduce public‑school funding. Nevertheless, teachers’ unions and several Democratic governors have voiced strong opposition, with Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona introducing legislation to repeal the credit before it launches.
Political Context and Impact
Virginia became the first state to formally opt in during Youngkin’s final weeks as governor, joining a total of 30 states that have embraced the program while 20 remain outside. Youngkin framed the initiative as essential for children’s futures, stating, “Nothing is more important than our kids.” He also pledged to “aggressively call out far‑left governors” who refuse participation.
The advocacy push ties back to the 2021 campaign, which capitalized on parental concerns over COVID‑related school closures, race‑based instruction, sexually explicit library materials, transgender policies, and the handling of sexual‑assault cases in Loudoun County schools. Youngkin’s victory over former Governor Terry McAuliffe—who had defended a veto of parental‑notification legislation—demonstrated the electoral power of the parents‑rights narrative.
Conclusion
Empowering America’s Parents represents a strategic effort to broaden the reach of the Education Freedom Tax Credit at a time when education policy remains a polarizing issue nationwide. By targeting holdout states and emphasizing the credit’s private‑funding model, Youngkin seeks to reshape the national conversation on school choice, parental involvement, and the role of federal incentives in expanding educational opportunities.