Republicans in the House want to use up to $5 billion every year. This money would be for scholarships. These scholarships would help families send their children to private and religious schools. This is the first time they want to use government money for private education.

The plan is part of a bill that came out on Monday. It helps President Trump's idea of letting parents choose their children's schools. This plan gives families across the country the chance to send their children to schools that are not their local public schools. Almost all families can use this plan, unless they earn much more money than most people in their area.

People who like private schools say they want to give families whose children go to bad schools more choices.

Senator Bill Cassidy said that when parents can choose the best school for their child, it helps make the American Dream possible.

People who give money or shares to the program will get all the money back because they will pay less tax. This helps them not pay taxes they would usually pay if they gave or moved the shares.

People who didn't like the idea said it would help rich people and hurt schools for most students. They said it was a way for clever investors to make money, not really give money to help.

This is happening because the Trump government is making the Education Department smaller and giving less money to public schools. They are stopping 1 billion dollars for mental health help and for training teachers.

"This is a big danger," said Sasha Pudelski from a school group. She also said that states with programs that help families pay for private school often help families who were already doing that. She added that this "makes it easier for bad things to happen in these programs, like wasting money and cheating."

Programs that help students pay for private schools are now very common in states like Texas, which often vote Republican. People who support public schools are worried. They think these programs mean fewer students go to public schools and there is less money for them. This could mean less help for families who choose public schools.