Sens. Ossoff, Rounds, Cramer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Families of Fallen U.S. Servicemembers

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a new bipartisan bill to support the families of fallen U.S. servicemembers.

Sens. Ossoff, Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the bipartisan Gold Star Children Education Act to support the education of children after the loss of a parent who served.

The bipartisan bill would allow Gold Star families - who were not already - to enroll their kids in Department of Defense schools, giving families more choices for their kids' education, allowing children to learn in a more familiar military community environment as they grieve the loss of a parent, and offering support services from experienced military professionals.

Currently, Gold Star children are not eligible to enroll in DoD schools after the death of a parent if they were not already enrolled in one. A recent study found military families frequently cite the availability of schools on installations as having a positive impact on their quality of life.

"We can never do enough to support the families of fallen U.S. servicemembers. That's why I'm introducing this new bipartisan legislation to give more support to gold star families and ensure our children get the best education and support possible," Sen. Ossoff said.

"We should all strive to thank our men and women in uniform as often as possible, but we have a special obligation to never forget the sacrifices made by their families as well," said Rounds. "Military children in particular often grow up with a parent away from home for months at a time-even years over the course of a career in the service. If, God forbid, their mom or dad makes the ultimate sacrifice, these Gold Star children should still be able to enroll in Department of Defense schools. I am pleased to co-lead the bipartisan Gold Star Children Education Act and honor this sacred trust."

"America is the land of the free because of the brave servicemembers who sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedoms," said Cramer. "After losing a parent who served, Gold Star children should not be further disrupted by losing their access to DOD schools. I joined Senators Ossoff and Rounds in introducing the Gold Star Children Education Act to preserve the educational options for families of fallen servicemembers."

Their bipartisan Gold Star Children Education Act is endorsed by Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Blue Star Families, Hire Heroes USA, and the Department of Georgia American Gold Star Mothers.

"This legislation honors the sacrifice of our nation's heroes by ensuring their surviving children have the educational opportunities they deserve," said Ross Dickman, CEO, Hire Heroes USA. "By granting access to DoDEA schooling, this bill would provide much-needed support and stability to Gold Star families during difficult times. Hire Heroes USA is proud to support the Gold Star Children Education Act of 2024, and we thank Senator Ossoff for his leadership on this important issue."

"The Department of Georgia American GoldStar Mothers, firmly believe that all Gold Star children deserve equal access to the best educational opportunities, regardless of the circumstances of their parent's death. No child should be separated from the supportive environment of their friends and educational community. It's imperative that we do not place limitations on the term 'Gold Star' when it comes to education enrollment. Our fallen heroes' children deserve nothing less than our full support and inclusion," said Lisa Jenkins, President of Department of Georgia American Gold Star Mothers.

"TAPS is grateful to Senators Ossoff, Cramer and Rounds for introducing the Gold Star Children Education Act. This critical legislation would ensure surviving children have access to DODEA schools on a space available basis, regardless of whether they were enrolled in one when their parent passed. Staying connected to the military community is an important part of healing for our surviving families. TAPS is proud to support this legislation and we look forward to its swift passage," said Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

"After the tragedy of losing a military parent, we owe it to our children to allow them to have continuity in their schooling, especially in the communities they feel most supported," said Kathy Roth-Douquet, Blue Star Families CEO. "We appreciate Senator Ossoff, Senator Cramer, and Senator Rounds' commitment to ensuring this happens for our families."

Sen. Ossoff continues working to support Georgia's servicemembers and military families.

Last month, Sen. Ossoff introduced the Military Families Support Act, which would exempt active duty servicemembers from being deployed, mobilized, or sent to trainings away from their duty stations for a year, helping keep families together after welcoming a new child. The policy would also include servicemembers who adopt a child or those undergoing fertility treatment.

Last month, Sen. Ossoff also introduced several pieces of legislation to upgrade military infrastructure and upgrade quality of life for servicemembers and military families across the state, including at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay; Savannah Air National Guard Base; Fort Eisenhower; Hunter Army Airfield; Robbins Air Force Base; Dobbins Air Reserve Base; and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.

Last year, Sen. Ossoff co-sponsored the bipartisan Love Lives on Act of 2023, which would allow surviving spouses to retain their survivor benefits regardless of marital status.

Click here to read the Gold Star Children Education Act.

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