Calling it an “entitlement” and pointing to a supposedly prohibitive price tag of “hundreds of thousands of dollars,” New York State Assembly Committee on Higher Education Chairwoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan) and her Majority colleagues blocked a bipartisan bill authored by Assembly Minority to help the surviving children of service members who die in action afford college.

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) expressed disbelief.

“I just can’t imagine that Majority politicians across the country are like this. To me, this is extreme,” said Blankenbush. “Does the average person really think we should reject tuition assistance for the children of brave men and women who die protecting our country while authorizing tens of millions of dollars in payments for illegals to get free degrees? It doesn’t make any sense.”

Blankenbush, who represents Fort Drum, questioned what kind of message it sends to troops stationed in his community.

“Majority politicians love a photo-op with service members. They love to use veterans in their campaign literature. Too often, though, when it comes time to choose between our troops and other priorities, they choose other priorities. In this case, it’s illegals. I think that sends a terrible message to kids in my district who signed up to protect our families, protect our communities and serve their country,” said Blankenbush.

Though the bill had Majority sponsors, it was drafted by Minority member Steve Hawley. Blankenbush believes this may have contributed to Majority politicians blocking it in committee.

“Again, they talk about bipartisanship, but when an opportunity surfaces to reach across the aisle and pass something very substantive for the very best Americans, they block it. It’s petty, and it’s everything that people hate about our political system,” he concluded.