A PLUS Act

Senate Bill

S. 309

119th Congress

A PLUS Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 29, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Steve Daines

Senator

Republican

MT

Cosponsors

12

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Education

Summary

The A PLUS Act allows states to receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and use them for any educational purpose permitted by state law. This provides states maximum flexibility in applying federal education dollars according to their own priorities rather than following federal program requirements.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The A PLUS Act allows states to receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and use them for any educational purpose permitted by state law. This provides states maximum flexibility in applying federal education dollars according to their own priorities rather than following federal program requirements.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act or the A PLUS Act This bill creates a framework under which states may receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and use such funds for any educational purpose permitted by state law.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Consolidates federal education funding to states
States can use funds for any state-permitted purpose
Removes federal program restrictions
Maximizes state flexibility
Shifts education control from federal to state
Streamlines federal education funding

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill represents a significant shift toward state control of education policy by removing federal programmatic restrictions on how education funds are used. Supporters argue states understand their educational needs better than the federal government. Critics contend it could eliminate protections for disadvantaged students and reduce accountability for how federal education dollars are spent.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Education

Related Subjects

Academic performance and assessments

Education of the disadvantaged

Education programs funding

Elementary and secondary education

Government information and archives

Intergovernmental relations

State and local finance

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

309, 119th Congress (2025). "A PLUS Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-309