Congress is moving to block major changes proposed by the Trump administration that would have significantly reshaped special education funding and federal disability programs. A bipartisan budget agreement advancing through Capitol Hill rejects efforts to overhaul the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and preserves key programs serving people with disabilities.
Lawmakers in both chambers are racing to pass funding for most federal agencies before the current deadline of January 30. The U.S. House of Representatives has already approved the agreement, and the U.S. Senate is expected to consider it next.
What the Budget Agreement Does
The funding deal delivers a clear rebuke to proposals put forward during the Trump administration, including those by Donald Trump, that disability advocates warned would weaken protections and services.
Key provisions include:
A $20 million increase in special education funding Rejection of efforts to block grant IDEA funds, which would have given states more discretion while eliminating dedicated programs Preservation of parent training and information centers, technical assistance centers, and personnel preparation programs Limits on shifting special education oversight away from the U.S. Department of Education
“Importantly, the deal rejects the block granting of IDEA funds proposed by the administration,” said Stephanie Smith Lee of the National Down Syndrome Congress, a former senior official in the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.
Protections for the Department of Education
The agreement also includes language designed to prevent administrative workarounds that could undermine congressional intent.
According to advocates, the bill:
Prohibits the Department of Education from transferring education funds to other federal agencies without explicit congressional approval Blocks the use of funds for departmental reorganizations that would decentralize or reduce staffing related to special education
Advocacy groups view this as a direct response to concerns about dismantling or weakening federal oversight of K–12 and special education services.
Disability Programs Maintained Across Federal Agencies
The spending package also safeguards programs housed within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including:
The Administration for Community Living (ACL), which supports community-based services for people with disabilities, older adults, and caregivers University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) Protection and advocacy programs serving people with disabilities
HHS had previously announced plans to eliminate or reorganize some of these programs, but Congress opted to maintain current funding levels.
“Congress has unequivocally rejected the proposals in the president’s budget to cut programs that support people with disabilities,” said Alison Barkoff, a former head of the Administration for Community Living.
Why Advocates Say Vigilance Is Still Needed
Despite the apparent victory, disability and special education advocates caution that oversight remains essential. Even after passage, agencies control how and when funds are distributed.
Advocates stress the importance of ensuring:
Timely distribution of congressionally approved funds No administrative efforts to defund or delay programs based on shifting priorities Continued enforcement of IDEA and federal disability protections
Denise Marshall, CEO of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), emphasized that Congress has not authorized moving special education programs out of the Department of Education and that families should remain watchful.
A Significant Win for Disability Advocates
If finalized, the agreement represents a major win for people with disabilities, their families, educators, and service providers. It reinforces Congress’s role in shaping disability policy and signals bipartisan support for maintaining long-standing federal protections in special education and community-based services.
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