Duckworth, Durbin Join Van Hollen, Colleagues in Reintroducing Legislation to Help Support Public Education for Low-Income Children and Those With Learning Disabilities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 14 other U.S. Senators in reintroducing theKeep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Actto help put Congress on a fiscally responsible path to fully fund Title I and theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)on a mandatory basis. These programs, which respectively support public education for children in low-income areas and education for individuals with learning disabilities, have been chronically underfunded since their inception, leaving our public schools, students and teachers at a disadvantage.
“When we invest in education and prioritize students across our nation—regardless of zip code—we’re really investing in their future as much as our country’s future,”said Senator Duckworth.“I’m proud to help reintroduce theKeep Our PACT Actto help provide countless teachers, school districts and young people a fairer, more equitable shot at reaching their full potential. Every child deserves the chance to succeed.”
“Our nation’s children are the future. Every student, including students with disabilities, should have equal access to a quality education, regardless of their family’s income or where they live,”said Senator Durbin.“I’m joining my colleagues in reintroducing theKeep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Actto ensure the federal government upholds its promise to fund schools, as well as Title I and IDEA programs, that serve our nation’s most vulnerable students.”
“Every child – no matter their zip code – deserves access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to succeed,”said Senator Van Hollen.“But too many children still don’t have that opportunity because the federal government has never lived up to its commitment to fully fund Title I and IDEA – the federal programs designed to keep our promise to all students, including those facing the greatest challenges. TheKeep Our PACT Actwill ensure the federal government finally makes good on its obligation to invest in a first-rate education for all our students.”
Duckworth and Durbin have worked hard to help ensure that every child in our country has access to a quality public education. In December, Duckworth and Durbinannounced over $4 millionin funding to help educators across Illinois increase the math proficiency of their students, and they alsoannounced over $7 millionin funding to help prepare young Illinoisans to succeed in high-demand careers.
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