Families of Virginia's fallen heroes are protesting at the state Capitol to protect their education benefits after changes in eligibility for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).
Tanya Barrett's son was just six years old when her husband, Mark, a state trooper, lost his life in the line of duty. Now a student at the University of Virginia, her son's tuition is fully covered under a state statute. However, recent changes to the VMSDEP program could jeopardize that coverage.
Virginia Military and Law Enforcement Families Fight to Protect Education Benefits
"When my husband died in 2010, the state of Virginia had a statute in place that says if you die in the line of duty while serving the state, you would get education taken care of," Barrett told "Fox & Friends First" on Thursday. "For us, it was just the tuition piece."
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and lawmakers made changes to the VMSDEP program in the two-year budget that takes effect on July 1. Youngkin asked lawmakers to tweak parts of the bill that prevented some families from participating in the program. However, the Democratic-controlled state Senate declined to take up the bill, leaving Youngkin "stunned."
Virginia Military and Law Enforcement Families Fight to Protect Education Benefits
"I stand with our military heroes, first responders, and their families today who are stunned that Senate Democrat leadership failed to even consider a simple bill, supported by a bipartisan majority of Senators, to reverse the changes to VMSDEP," Youngkin wrote in a statement.
Barrett believes one senator is "holding this bill up," likely referring to Democratic Sen. Louise Lucas. She expects the bill to pass in the House but acknowledges it still needs to return to the Senate.
Virginia Military and Law Enforcement Families Fight to Protect Education Benefits
Despite the uncertainty, Barrett remains optimistic. "I've told him that we'll do what we've always done. We'll do what we've done since 2010. We'll figure it out," she said, referring to her son.
The changes to the VMSDEP program have affected other families as well. Sarah Ruehrmund is a widow and the mother of two boys whose father was killed in the line of duty. Her youngest son is currently receiving tuition assistance under the VMSDEP program.
Virginia Military and Law Enforcement Families Fight to Protect Education Benefits
"We planned our whole lives around this benefit, and the fact that it could be taken away is devastating," Ruehrmund said.
Ruehrmund, alongside other affected families, plans to join Barrett at the protest at the Virginia Capitol on Thursday. They hope to raise awareness of their situation and urge lawmakers to take action.
"We're not asking for anything special," Barrett said. "We're just asking for what was promised to us."
The VMSDEP program provides financial assistance for education expenses to eligible dependents of deceased or disabled Virginia military members and law enforcement officers. The program covers tuition and mandatory fees at public institutions of higher education in Virginia.
Families receiving assistance under the VMSDEP program are facing various challenges due to the changes. Some have seen their benefits reduced or eliminated, while others are facing uncertainty about their future eligibility.
The protest at the Virginia Capitol is a manifestation of the frustration and anger felt by these families. They are determined to fight for the benefits they believe are rightfully theirs.
Their voices deserve to be heard, and lawmakers must take their concerns seriously. The families of our fallen heroes deserve to know that their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
