WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans in the House of Representatives want to use up to $5 billion of public money each year to help families pay for private and religious schools for their children. This is the biggest amount of public money ever planned for private education.

The plan, which is part of a budget bill released Monday, would help President Trump achieve his goal of "universal school choice." This means families across the country could choose a different school for their children instead of the local public school. Most families could use this, except those who make more than three times the average income in their area.

People who support private school vouchers say they want to offer families whose children are in schools that are not doing well more options.

Giving parents the chance to choose the best school for their child can help them achieve the American Dream, said Bill Cassidy, a Republican Senator from Louisiana, who supported a similar plan in the Senate.

The program would be paid for by people who give money or company shares. In return, they would get all their donation back as a tax discount. This would help people who own shares avoid taxes they would usually pay if they gave or moved their shares.

Critics strongly disliked the plan. They said it would help rich people but hurt public schools where most students learn. They also thought it would create a tax loophole so clever investors could make money by pretending to give a donation.

This is happening while the Trump government is making the Education Department smaller and cutting money for public schools. This includes $1 billion less for mental health programs and teacher training.

"This is a big danger," said Sasha Pudelski from AASA, an organisation for school leaders. She also said that states with voucher programs often help families who were already sending their children to private school. "It makes the problems that voucher programs across the country already have even worse, like lots of wasted money, cheating, and misuse."

Similar programs that give money for school have grown quickly in states like Texas, where many people support the Republican party. Texas recently started a large $1 billion program. People who support public schools are afraid these programs will mean fewer students in public schools and less money for each student. This could mean there are not enough resources for families who choose public schools.