Federal lawmakers are racing against a deadline to fund the government before the new fiscal year begins on October 1, with the risk of a shutdown if no agreement is reached. As part of the negotiations, Congress appears ready to reject President Donald Trump’s proposals to significantly alter the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and cut funding for key disability programs, though the situation remains unresolved.
Trump’s budget request sought to eliminate funding for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) and a program at protection and advocacy agencies that safeguards voting access for people with disabilities. It also aimed to consolidate IDEA funding to give states greater control over how the money is spent. These proposals drew immediate pushback from disability advocates and lawmakers.
So far, both the Senate and House appropriations committees have dismissed the administration’s requests, approving bills that continue full funding for UCEDDs, protection and advocacy agencies, and IDEA under the existing structure. Advocates credit strong mobilization from the disability community for influencing this outcome, emphasizing that these programs play a vital role in supporting families, providing autism evaluations, early intervention services, and training.
More than three dozen disability organizations condemned the proposed cuts as “dangerous and misguided,” while 14 former Education Department officials from past Republican and Democratic administrations also urged Congress not to alter IDEA funding. Their unified opposition reflects decades of bipartisan commitment to protecting disability rights and services.
Although the proposals have been rejected in committee, uncertainty remains as lawmakers weigh the possibility of a short-term funding extension or even a shutdown. Advocates stress the importance of passing full-year funding to avoid disruptions. Disability leaders welcomed Congress’s initial rejection of the cuts but called on lawmakers to ensure final legislation protects critical services that millions of families rely on.
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