Scholten, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten led a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Signed into law by Congresswoman Scholten’s predecessor President Gerald R. Ford, this legislation took a historic step of mandating that every child with a disability in America be given equal access to a free, appropriate public education. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), and John James (R-Mich.) and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) co-led the resolution.
“Since President Ford signed it into law 50 years ago, IDEA has opened doors for millions of children with disabilities,” said Rep. Scholten. “I represent the same West Michigan seat that President Ford once held, and as the proud daughter of a special education teacher, I have seen how this law has transformed classrooms and strengthened opportunity for every child. It has allowed students to learn alongside their peers, participate fully in their communities, and pursue futures that were once out of reach. As we mark this anniversary, we must recommit to President Ford’s vision of investing in special education and ensuring every student has what they need to learn and thrive.”
In the House, this resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Alma 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).
This resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Angela 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.).
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.
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