Congressional appropriations committees have rejected the President's proposed block-granting and elimination of IDEA programs, including parent training and information centers, personnel preparation, and technical assistance centers, thanks to the advocacy of the disability community. The appropriations bill for the US Department of Education and other agencies, approved by the House and shortly to be considered by the Senate, contains strong language about the Administration's actions to dismantle the department. As NSCS’s Policy and Advocacy Co-Director, Stephanie Smith Lee, says in this article, “The bill prohibits the U.S. Department of Education from transferring any education funding to another federal agency unless an appropriations law allows it to do so. The bill clearly states that no authorities exist for ED to transfer its fundamental responsibilities and prohibits any funds to be used for any department reorganization that decentralizes, reduces staffing levels, or alters the responsibilities of the department.” It will be important for advocates to remain vigilant and involved as Congress acts and the Department moves forward.
