Reed Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) has joined with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to introduce a resolution marking 50 years since Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The bipartisan, bicameral measure was introduced by U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), and John James (R-Mich.) in the House of Representatives.
The resolution recognizes the historic step IDEA took by mandating that every child with a disability in America be given equal access to a free, appropriate public education.
“Congress passed IDEA to ensure all students have the same access to a high-quality public education that prepares them for a successful future. Millions of students, families, and educators have benefited from this critical legislation and the expanded reach of special education services it has fueled over the years,”saidSenator Reed. “As we mark five decades since the bill was signed into law, we must join together and renew our shared commitment to the promise of full inclusion that IDEA gives to students with disabilities and their families.”
“Since its passage fifty years ago, IDEA has opened the doors to a quality education for millions of students with disabilities across America. On IDEA’s anniversary, we honor all those who fought to make IDEA a reality and celebrate the dedicated educators who support students with disabilities in and out of the classroom. While we take stock of the progress that has been made because of this landmark legislation, I remain committed to the fight to fully fund IDEA – to move us closer to delivering greater, more equal access to high-quality education for every student in this country,”saidSenator Van Hollen, who has also introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act.
“All children deserve an education that gives them the resources they need to reach their full potential,”saidDr. Cassidy. “By empowering parents to partner in their child’s education and equipping teachers with resources, IDEA ensures children with disabilities have the opportunity to succeed in the classroom.”
This resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. SenatorsAngela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).In the House, it is cosponsored by U.S. RepresentativesAlma Adams (D-N.C.-12), Don Bacon (R-Neb.-02), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Emily Randall (D-Wash.-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.-01), Gabe Evans (R-Colo.-08), Kevin Hern (R-Okla.-01), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.-01), Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.-05), Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.-03), Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-Northern Mariana Islands), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif-01), Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.) Laura Friedman (D-Calif-30), John Mannion (D-N.Y.-22), James Moylan (R-Guam), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.-27), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.-24), David Valadao (R-Calif.-22).
The Senators’ resolution is endorsed by The School Superintendents Association (AASA), Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), Council for Exceptional Children, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and National PTA.
The full text of the resolution is availablehere.