On March 7th, Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) introduced the Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act, which could establish education savings accounts (ESA) for students in military families throughout the country. These accounts would be funded by reallocating funds from the Federal Impact Aid program to accounts for military-dependent students. Families could then use these funds to purchase a variety of educational goods and services for their child, such as private-school tuition, tutoring, and textbooks.

As a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves and the father of three children, Congressman Banks emphasizes the importance of educational opportunities for military families. Impact Aid is designed to alleviate the burden on both military families and their communities due to short-notice relocations. By ensuring that parents have peace of mind about educational choices no matter where they serve, the ESA for Military Families Act will serve the common good and the families of the United States armed forces.

Furthermore, by expanding educational choice to residents of all fifty states, Rep. Banks’ bill could be a powerful example to many Americans who have not had a chance to experience choice in education options.

The ESA for Military Families Act would move the federal government toward fulfilling the teaching of the Church on support for parental decision-making in education. Our Military are American heroes, and they, as all families, should have the choice of where to send their children to school.