Saturday, September 6, 1997

WASHINGTON, DC - In a letter to Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, US Representative Ron Paul (R-Surfside, Texas) urged that HR 2373 The Parents and Students Savings Account Plus Act (PASS A+) be placed at the top of the Congress' agenda.

The PASS A+ Act will allow parents to set-up tax-free education savings accounts for elementary and high school education-related expenses for public, private, religious and home schools. A similar plan, strongly supported by Rep. Paul during the budget hearings, was pulled from the final version of the 1998 budget because of opposition from the Clinton administration. Under both the stricken plan and this new legislation, parents could place up to $2,000 a year, tax-free, into the special accounts. The funds could be withdrawn without penalty when parents pay for books, tuition, computers and other education related expenses.

"I urge you to follow through on your pledge to place HR 2373 on the House calendar for a public, roll-call vote before Congress adjourns for the year," wrote Paul. "American parents deserve access to PASS A+ accounts for elementary and secondary education and, failing that, deserve to know which Representatives oppose letting parents have greater financial control over their children's education."

Gingrich, Paul and 70 other Members of Congress were original cosponsors of the PASS A+. Congress is expected to go out of session for the year in early November.

Paul thanked Gingrich "for your leadership on this important" but urged that the measure not be allowed to languish in committees.

"The time to help parents provide for their children's education is now; we on Capitol Hill talk a lot about 'empowering' people to do things. PASS A+ is a great tool for parents of all social and economic backgrounds, and will be a great benefit for all our children," said Paul after signing the letter Thursday evening. "Letting parents keep their own money to have the resources to make educational decisions best suited for their children is in the best interest of everyone."