ICYMI: Rigell and Duckworth Introduce ACES Act

Press Release

Recently, Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02) and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) introduced the Military Spouses' Achieving College Education for Survivors (ACES) Act. This bipartisan legislation would provide surviving spouses whose husband or wife died in the line of duty after September 11, 2001 the time necessary to use their full 36 month benefits from the Fry Scholarship without fear of it being cut short halfway through their educational pursuits.

The Fry Scholarship is an educational benefit given to children of our fallen troops. In August 2014, Congress voted to extend this benefit to surviving spouses as well. Currently, public law cuts off Fry Scholarship eligibility 15 years from the date of a service member's death. Unfortunately, this means that spouses who lost their loved one shortly after September 11, 2001 will not be able to use their full educational benefit, which is typically good for 36 months of enrollment and is used over the course of four years. The ACES act will allow surviving spouses whose eligibility will end before they can fully use their benefit to complete their education.

"I do not know why Providence calls upon some to give their last breath in defense of our freedoms, but I do know with certainty that we owe these brave men and women our complete commitment to care for their families," said Representative Scott Rigell (VA-02), who represents the congressional district with the highest concentration of men and women in uniform in the country. "Our Gold Star families deserve not only our deep respect and gratitude, but action to ensure their earned benefits are protected. This common-sense bill honors that commitment."

"Memorial Day is a day to honor our loved ones who served our country and did not make it home," said Duckworth. "We can never fully repay the debt owed to the brave men and women who laid down their lives for our country, but we can honor their courage by upholding our duty to support our veterans, members of the military and their families. The ACES act is a common sense fix to make sure that these spouses receive the benefits they earned and deserve."

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