Washington—This morning, Heritage Action sent a letter to Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.), Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on behalf of thousands of military-connected families seeking choice and opportunity in education. Those individuals called on Congress to pass Rep. Jim Banks' (R-Ind.) Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2018 (H.R. 5199). Heritage Action released the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Needham:
“Over the past few weeks, we have heard from men and women in every branch of the armed forces. Our military families sacrifice so much for this country. They should not have to sacrifice a quality education for their children. Heritage Action stands with the men and women who serve our nation, and urges Congress to include the Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act in this year’s NDAA.”
Lindsey Burke, The Heritage Foundation’s Director of the Center for Education Policy and Will Skillman Fellow in Education, added:
“After numerous conversations with military families, it became clear to us that the education of their children was a kitchen table issue that dominates the conversation night-after-night. It is unacceptable that our service members should ever have to choose between serving our country and their children’s education. They sacrifice enough as it is.
“ESAs will give military families the flexibility they need for their way of life. Modernizing the federal Impact Aid program to work more like the GI Bill would provide them the flexibility they need and deserve.”
The military families write, in part:
“We the undersigned current members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and military families are writing to express our strong support for the Education Savings Account for Military Families Act of 2018 (H.R. 5199), recently introduced by Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.). If signed into law, this legislation would allow parents of military-connected children to establish voluntary Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to pay for whatever educational service works best for their children. [...]
“Military families already sacrifice so much on the battlefield, but far too often Washington fails them off the battlefield. Men and women in the armed forces have earned the right to send their children to whatever school or educational service provider they believe will benefit their family.”
Read the full letter to Congress here
Related:
Coalition to Congress: Support Military Education Savings Accounts
The Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2018: Question & Answer
Heritage Action: Key Vote: Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2018 (H.R. 5199)
Heritage: A GI Bill for Children of Military Families: Transforming Impact Aid into Education Savings Accounts
Real Clear Politics: Military Families Deserve Education Choice: A Response to Carol Burris