The Children of Fallen Heroes Act [H.R. 949] would boost education aid for the children of fallen law enforcement and first responders who have died in the line of duty
By Tom Waring
The Times
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-8th dist.) joined local first responders last week at the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company to highlight recently enacted legislation that would boost education aid for the children of fallen law enforcement and first responders who have died in the line of duty.
The measure — the Children of Fallen Heroes Act [H.R. 949], introduced by Fitzpatrick — was included in the recent federal appropriations agreement and signed into law by President Trump. The new law eliminates the expected family contribution used to determine Pell Grant eligibility for children of first responders who have died in the line of duty, providing eligible students the ability to receive up to the maximum Pell award each year.
“As a member of the law enforcement community for nearly a decade and a half and an EMT, I know firsthand the service and sacrifice of our nation’s first responders. While we can never repay those who laid down their lives in the line of duty, we can make it our priority to support their families and their children,” Fitzpatrick said. “This bipartisan legislation will ease the financial burden on the families of our community’s fallen heroes. This has been a top priority of mine to support our first responders and their families, and I’m thrilled that we’ve gotten this bill across the finish line for them.”
The Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of Police Organizations, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Major Cities of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs’ Association, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition and Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD.
The measure was co-authored by Rep. Brendan Boyle. Sens. Bob Casey Jr. and Pat Toomey introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
Fitzpatrick, Casey and Toomey voted for the spending bill. Boyle voted against it. ••
