Scott Applauds Enactment of Legislation To Support Impact Aid and Help Keep Schools Open

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, issued the following statement after President Biden signed the Supplemental Impact Aid Flexibility Act into law:

"Most public schools in America are largely funded through state and local property taxes. The Impact Aid Grant Program was designed to assist local school districts that serve students that are ‘federally-connected.' An example of a ‘federally-connected' student might be someone who lives on a military base, in affordable housing, or a Native American reservation. School districts that serve ‘federally-connected' students receive less revenue from property taxes because they live on tax- exempt federal property. Without support from Impact Aid, many schools would be significantly short-changed and unable to offer a high-quality education.

"Last Congress, Democrats and Republicans came together—as the nation tackled the first strain of COVID-19—to address these challenges and provide urgent support for Impact Aid schools and enacted the Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act. Now, as we confront a new COVID threat, we must provide the support that federally connected children need under the Impact Aid program. By delivering the support and flexibility in this legislation, we will help ensure that Impact Aid schools can keep teachers and staff on the payroll, purchase textbooks and learning supplies, and keep the lights on in their classrooms."

Chesapeake City Public Schools, Hampton City Schools, Isle of Wight County Schools, Newport News Public Schools, Norfolk Public Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, and Suffolk Public Schools all received Impact Aid funding in 2020, which is the last year where complete data is available.

# # #