House rejects the amendment to authorize a school choice pilot program for Armed Forces members
On Agreeing to the Amendment
JUL 21, 2026 · 9:51 PM ET
Party-line vote, except 3 Republicans who crossed. 2 votes short of the 216 needed.
What the House was voting on
The House voted on whether to add H.Amdt. 257 to H.R. 8800, an amendment that would authorize a school-choice pilot offering education-cost help to eligible military families. H.R. 8800 sets policies and authorities for fiscal year 2027 Department of Defense programs and Department of Energy national security programs. The amendment fell 2 votes short of the 216 needed and failed.
Add H.Amdt. 257 to H.R. 8800, authorizing an education-cost pilot for eligible military families.
Reject H.Amdt. 257, leaving the bill's text unchanged on the proposed school-choice pilot.
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to offer a pilot program providing active-duty service members in the United States financial help for dependents’ education, including private, faith-based, charter, or home-school costs.
Passed the House 216–212 on July 22, 2026. Now waiting in the Senate, 154 days after it was introduced.
- TIES
- A tie fails in the House: a majority means more yeas than nays.
216 is a majority of the 430 members voting yes or no. Members voting “present” or absent don’t count.
- TIES
- A tie fails in the House: a majority means more yeas than nays.
Party line, with 3 Republicans crossing3 Republicans crossed. It wasn’t enough.
Every vote on H.R. 8800, in both chambersEvery vote on H.R. 8800
- JUN 15Reported by Armed ServicesREPORTED44–12
- JUN 30#230Previous question on the rule (H.Res. 1398)AGREED TO215–210
- JUN 30#231On the rule (H.Res. 1398)FAILED198–224
- JUL 21#253Previous question on the rule (H.Res. 1438)AGREED TO213–209
- JUL 21#254On the rule (H.Res. 1438)AGREED TO214–211
- JUL 21#269THIS VOTEAmendment H.Amdt. 257FAILED214–2162 votes short of the 216 needed.
- JUL 22#277Motion to recommitFAILED213–216
- JUL 22#278On passagePASSED216–2126 Democrats voted yes
Coverage of this vote and its bill81 stories from 52 outlets
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- Washington ExaminerCENTERMike Johnson has victorious week in the House
- Washington ExaminerCENTERMike Johnson has victorious week in the House
Lean describes the outlets, not the vote.



