Newhouse Celebrates 75 Years of Impact Aid with House Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT)introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives recognizing the 75th anniversary of Impact Aid and its success helping school districts across the country who have a loss of revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property.

"Impact Aid brings much needed financial assistance to communities across the country who have a smaller property tax base due to large federal properties," said Rep. Newhouse. "Here in Central Washington, the program serves our rural schools on tribal lands with resources that support school operations, staffing, and materials used by students every day. This resolution recognizes 75 years of Impact Aid's contributions to helping students access a quality education and prepare for a successful career after graduation."

Rep. Courtney said, "Eastern Connecticut is home to more servicemembers than anywhere else in the state, and that means that Impact Aid funding is critical to the success of our local schools with a large proportion of military families. This past year, over 2,200 children in Groton and Ledyard Public Schools benefitted from this funding and received a high-quality public education. I'm glad to introduce this resolution to recognize the importance of the Impact Aid Program, 75 years after it was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman."

Cherise Imai, Executive Director, National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, said,"For 75 years, Impact Aid has made a difference in the lives of students and communities across the country, fulfilling the federal government's responsibility to those most directly affected by its presence. This program is more than just funding-it's a lifeline for schools serving military-connected children, students living on tribal lands, and all those in federally impacted areas. We are grateful to Congress for honoring this legacy with a bipartisan resolution and for its ongoing support of Impact Aid. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to working together to protect and strengthen the program for generations to come."

The Impact Aid Program was signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1950. The program is the oldest K-12 federal education program. Nationwide, approximately 1,200 school districts enrolling more than 10 million students benefit from Impact Aid funding.

Children of our men and women in uniform, children residing on Indian lands, children in low-rent public housing, and children of civilians working or living on federal land are considered "federally connected children" who are served by local educational agencies eligible for Impact Aid.

Read the full resolution here. (link is external)

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