The bill would effectively allow public money to be used by families across the state to pay for private education costs. It will now head to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

The Senate sponsor defended the voucher proposal against critics who said it favors affluent families: “It shouldn’t be based on income. It should be universal.”

Tennessee General Assembly meets in a special session Monday, Jan. 27, to debate expanding Education Savings Account, or school vouchers, statewide.

Governor Bill Lee's school voucher bill is making rapid progress through the Tennessee House, despite opposition from Democratic lawmakers.