Senator Alsobrooks Introduces ‘Protecting Students with Disabilities Act’ to Ensure Special Education Programs at the Department of Education Continue

This legislation is a direct result of Senator Alsobrooks' commitment to protecting students with disabilities to ensure safe, equitable learning environments in Maryland and across the country.

September 23, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Angela Alsobrooks introduced the Protecting Students with Disabilities Act to ensure that special education programs within the U.S. Department of Education continue, despite this Administration's drastic cuts to the Department.

This legislation reaffirms the Department's statutory responsibilities under the landmark 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and prevents any attempts to weaken enforcement or disrupt critical services for students with disabilities.

This bill is cosponsored by Senators Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kaine (D-Va.), Lujan (D-N.M.), Sanders (D-Vt.), and Wyden (D-Ore.).

Representative John W. Mannion (D-N.Y.-22) introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives (H.R. 2333) alongside Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05) and Lucy McBath (D-Ga.-06).

"President Trump is committed to dismantling the Department of Education - and so much of our federal government. Any attempt to slash programs and protections for our students with disabilities is beyond callous. This legislation would protect all offices within the Department of Education that work on behalf of our students with disabilities. I have heard from countless Maryland parents concerned about their children with disabilities and what cuts to the Department of Education will mean for them. The contributions of our students with disabilities are limitless - they deserve safe and equitable learning environments. It's our responsibility to ensure it," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"The Department of Education has a critical role to play in supporting students with disabilities, their families, and educators across the United States. We should be working to make good on the full promise of IDEA, not retreating from it entirely as the Trump Administration is doing with its unlawful cuts to funding and its dismantlement of critical special education programs that support both students and teachers. We must continue the fight for equal access to high-quality education for every student in this country," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Every child with a disability deserves an individualized learning plan so that they can be the best they can be," said Senator Kaine. "The Trump Administration's decision to gut special education programs within the Department of Education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which was already significantly underfunded to begin with, will devastate our students. I'm proud to join my colleagues in supporting the Protecting Students with Disabilities Act so students with disabilities and educators are protected and have the resources they need to succeed."

"In America, we have a responsibility to protect students with disabilities and ensure every child has access to a quality education," said Senator Luján. "The Trump administration has taken a sledgehammer to the federal government, attempting to dismantle the Department of Education and putting essential services students with disabilities rely on at risk. That is why I'm joining my colleagues to introduce legislation to ensure special education programs at the Department of Education are protected. We must honor our commitment to support students with disabilities, and I will continue to fight to ensure they receive the support they deserve."

"Every kid in America deserves equal education opportunities, no matter their background," Senator Wyden said. "As the Trump administration takes a wrecking ball to special education programs that children with disabilities rely on, our legislation will ensure every student is given equal opportunity to succeed and thrive inside the classroom and beyond."

"Senator Alsobrooks' leadership reflects a longstanding American priority - protecting the rights of students with disabilities in our nation's schools," says Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. "Strong federal investment and oversight is essential to partnering with states to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. It is critical that we preserve the Office of Special Education Programs and the U.S. Department of Education in order to do just that."

"As the name states, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is an education law - not a health law - that provides students with disabilities the supports and services they need to succeed in school and beyond. Students with disabilities are served by all federal education program. The IDEA must remain in the U.S. Department of Education to ensure critical coordination among all these programs. Moving the IDEA to another department that lacks the expertise in educating students with disabilities will set the nation back 50 years before this important law was enacted," said Phyllis Wolfram, Executive Director, Council of Administrators of Special Education.

"Fifty years ago, with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the federal government made a promise to students with disabilities that public schools would be equipped to meet their needs. The Department of Education is tasked with ensuring this law is followed and with distributing funds that help 7.5 million students with disabilities. As it is, IDEA is drastically underfunded, with the federal government only providing a quarter of the funding that was promised with the passage of IDEA. The American people voted last fall to strengthen, not weaken, public education. They voted to make their lives more affordable, not make things worse. Americans oppose draconian cuts that decimate the services our students, families and communities rely on. Even so, this administration seems intent on trying to abolish the Department of Education and the services it provides-sending a message that the president doesn't care about opportunity for all kids. This bill stands against that callousness and in support of students with disabilities, and we urge its swift passage," said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

"Attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and shift responsibility for special education to other agencies are not only unlawful but also put the safety, rights, and academic success of students with disabilities at risk," said Augustus Mays, vice president of partnerships and engagement at EdTrust. "The Department of Education is uniquely equipped with the expertise and authority to protect these students and guarantee they receive the services and supports they are legally entitled to. EdTrust proudly supports this legislation to ensure special education programs remain under the federal agency Congress created to safeguard students' rights."

Leading advocacy organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA), National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), and EdTrust, support the legislation.

Read full bill text here.

###