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Alaskan Congressman Don Young submitted a bipartisan amendment last night, in conjunction with Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). This amendment, submitted by Young, a Member of the minority, and accepted by the House Committee on Rules, which is led by the Democrats, passed by voice vote this afternoon in a rare showing of bipartisanship on the House floor. To note, thus far in the 110^{th Congress, only 132 Republican amendments have been accepted by the Committee on Rules out of 535 submitted (24.7%).}

Rep. Young’s amendment to H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 would allow for Pell Grant eligibility for children who have lost a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Rep. Young’s remarks on the House floor this afternoon in support of his amendment:

"The proportion of married U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan is higher today than in any other previous war. Consequently, when these brave men and women are killed in the line of duty they often leave behind husbands, wives, and children.

"Since 2001, more than 4400 U.S. service members have died during their deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan, and more than 2,100 children have lost a parent as a result of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Nine months after Ft. Wainwright’s Stryker Brigade Combat Team returned from their deployment to Iraq, Bassett Army Community Hospital in Fairbanks delivered a record number of babies. Those babies will be a year old when their parents redeploy this fall. My amendment, which I’ve offered with the distinguished lady from Texas, will ensure they deploy with the knowledge that their children’s education will be taken care of.

"Our Amendment will provide financial assistance and access to higher education for children who lost a parent or guardian as a result of our ongoing military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It allows the children who have been left behind to have access to a maximum Pell Grant award by waiving the income eligibility requirement for them.

"It will apply to children of U.S. soldiers who have died while performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001.

"Children who are 18 years or younger, or those who were enrolled part-time or full-time at college, at the time of the parent or guardian’s death will be eligible for a Pell Grant application starting in 2009.

"The death of a parent is not only emotionally devastating for a child, but often creates financial hardships for the family. Through this Pell Grant award we can offer a chance for a bright future for the children of those who gave their lives in the name of service for our country.

"I urge my colleagues to support our amendment and help those children who have been left behind and I’d like to thank the distinguished lady from Texas for reaching across the aisle and working with me on this issue."