Rep. Neguse joins colleagues in introducing bill to fully fund special education

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, alongside other legislators, has introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act — which would ensure Congress fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, also known as IDEA.

Passed in 1975, IDEA was created to provide people with disabilities access to educational opportunities, but Congress has yet to provide the funding it originally promised. Under the act, the federal government committed to pay 40% of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. Current funding is at less than 13%.

The IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular, mandatory increases in IDEA spending.

“For years I’ve joined parents, teachers and education advocates from across Colorado in calling on the Congress to increase IDEA funding, so that the federal government can follow through on its promise to fully fund this essential program and support students with disabilities,” Neguse said in a news release. “Today, we are once again asking our colleagues to join us in the fight to give every student the chance to succeed.”

Neguse has joined colleagues in pushing for increased IDEA funding since first being elected to Congress. He notes the bill is especially important in Northwest Colorado.

“Throughout Northwest Colorado, there are more than 600 students who depend on special education services, and it is imperative that we continue to push for this bill on their behalf,” Neguse said. “For almost 40 years, the federal government has failed to deliver on its promise to our kids, and this bill will not only help support students in Steamboat Springs, Hayden and other communities in our district, but will also free up school districts’ budgets for other critical programs.”

The bill is co-led in the House by Reps. Glenn Thompson, Brian Fitzpatrick, Dean Phillips and Pete Stauber and is supported by over 20 U.S. senators. 

Prior to this legislation, Neguse unveiled his “Opportunity for All” Education Agenda to support a fair shot for all students pre-K through college and advance upward mobility for Coloradans in 2022. 

The Opportunity for All Agenda was developed from conversations with students, teachers, parents, child care workers, schools board members and universities across the 2nd Congressional District to address the challenges faced by Coloradans and ensure every student is offered equal opportunity to succeed.