This story was originally reported by Nadra Nittle of The 19th. “A direct assault on the Texas public education system.” That’s how social justice groups like the Texas Freedom Network are describing the passage of a bill that would create a $1 billion school voucher program in the state.

Texas lawmakers on Thursday passed a $1 billion education bill that allows families to use public money to pay for private school tuition, a major victory for school voucher

Texas House lawmakers approved a voucher bill on Thursday, following a debate that started late in the afternoon on Wednesday and stretched past 1 a.m. Democratic House members presented amendment after amendment after amendment,