Bennet, Van Hollen, Cassidy, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing 50th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Dec 2, 2025| Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the historic step this legislation took by mandating that every child with a disability in America be given equal access to public education. U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), and John James (R-Mich.) introduced companion legislation in the House.

"For fifty years, IDEA has provided landmark civil rights protections for students with disabilities, guaranteeing that all students have equal access to education," said Bennet. "We must continue fighting to ensure every student receives the support they need to succeed in school and build their future."

"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," said Van Hollen.

"All children deserve an education that gives them the resources they need to reach their full potential," said 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."

The 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.

"IDEA's promise has always been about more than access - it's about opportunity. It opened doors to possibility, respect, and belonging for millions of students who had long been denied access to public education. It transformed what families could expect and reshaped what our schools could provide. But opportunity demands resources. As we reflect on 50 years of IDEA, we thank members of Congress for recognizing this important milestone and urge them to put forward the resources so we can continue to implement the law with fidelity," said David R. Schuler, Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

"Fifty years ago, Public Law 94 142 ignited a culture shift that affirmed the inherent potential and rights of children with disabilities. CEC's members have led the charge- opening school doors, designing curriculum and supports, and translating research into practice across the country. This week we honor that legacy and look forward with determination to building on that progress to improve education and outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities," said Chad Rummel, Executive Director, Council for Exceptional Children.

"Fifty years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is an incredibly important milestone and on behalf of the students, families, and educators we serve, I am privileged to remark on the tremendous progress that has been made in educating students with disabilities," said Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. "We commend the bipartisan leadership in celebrating this anniversary and upholding the importance and significance of this federal law that ensures a free appropriate public education in the United States."

As the former Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Bennet is committed to ensuring that all students have equal access to education. In March of this year, Bennet issued a statement opposing President Trump's executive order dismantling the Department of Education. In July, Bennet demanded that U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon provide answers for DOE's decision to continue withholding $70 million in federal funds from Colorado schools. In November, Bennet wrote Secretary McMahon to demand that the Trump Administration halt illegal efforts to shut down the Department of Education's (DOE) Administration and enforcement of IDEA.

In addition to Bennet, Van Hollen, and Cassidy, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), 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 Luján (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.) cosponsored the resolution.

The text of the resolution is available HERE.

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