The approach echoes President Donald Trump's rhetoric and underscores the stakes for Abbott after months of pressuring lawmakers to pass the priority measure.

If the author and all co-authors vote for House Bill 3, it would pass the lower chamber. The controversial program, also called school choice, would use public money to pay for children’s private school tuition.

Gov. Greg Abbott believes the Texas House will pass a school choice bill. On Wednesday, 75 Republicans signed on to co-author HB3. The House must still decide on which school choice bill to support. AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas House has enough votes to pass school choice legislation, Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday.