Congresswoman Lee, Senator Van Hollen Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Fully Fund Title I, Special Education
WASHINGTON– Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to introduce the Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (PACT) Act. This bicameral legislation would put Congress on a fiscally responsible path to meet its obligation to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis over the next 10 years.
More than 200 schools across Clark County School District rely on Title I funding, which gives assistance to America's highest-need schools, but the program has been seriously underfunded for decades at the federal level. From 2005 to 2017, Title I was underfunded by about $347 billion, preventing southern Nevada schools from addressing issues like school safety, teacher retention, and mental health. Similarly, chronic underfunding of IDEA has shortchanged Nevada schools by an estimated $1.96 billion in IDEA grants between 2005 and 2017, greatly diminishing their ability to serve children with disabilities.
The Keep Our PACT Act would fully fund these programs by charting a fiscally responsible path for Congress to support these key education programs on a mandatory basis over a ten-year period.
"Education is the key to opportunity, which is why I've spent my career working to help Nevada students achieve their highest potential," said Congresswoman Lee. "Fully funding IDEA and Title I will provide school districts across the country, including Clark County, with the resources they need to strengthen opportunities for all students, regardless of the extra needs they have or what zip code they live in. That's why I'm joining Senator Van Hollen to introduce this legislation to deliver on Title I and IDEA's promise, fully fund our most vulnerable schools, and refocus the conversation in Washington on how we can help kids and teachers instead of dragging politics into the classroom."
"Keeping the American promise of equal opportunity for all means ensuring every child has access to a first-rate education. But too many students have been left behind as a result of the federal government shortchanging Title I and IDEA. The Keep Our PACT Act is about upholding our end of the bargain to make the needed investments in education for underserved communities and students with disabilities," said Senator Van Hollen.
This legislation is supported by the following entities and organizations:
Nevada Endorsing Organizations:
• Nevada Education Association
• Nevada Association of School Administrators
• Nevada System of Higher Education
• Communities in Schools of Nevada
• College of Southern Nevada
• Great Basin College
• Nevada State College
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• University of Nevada, Reno
• Western Nevada College
National Endorsing Organizations:
• American Federation of Teachers
• Council for Exceptional Children
• Council of Great City Schools
• Journey for Justice Alliance
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• National Disability Rights Network
• National Education Association
• National Urban League
• UnidosUS
Additionally, Congresswoman Lee introduced this legislation in the House with the support of 55 original cosponsors including Representatives Alma Adams Ph.D., Becca Balint, Nanette Barragan, Suzanne Bonamici, Shontel Brown, Salud Carbajal, Troy Carter, Sean Casten, Joaquin Castro, Yvette D. Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver, II, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Danny K. Davis, Mark DeSaulnier, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Lois Frankel, Robert Garcia, Jesús "Chuy" García, Jimmy Gomez, Al Green, Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, Steven Horsford, Val Hoyle, Sara Jacobs, Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr., Derek Kilmer, Ann McLane Kuster, Greg Landsman, Stephen F. Lynch, Betty McCollum, Morgan McGarvey, Gwen Moore, Seth Moulton, Jerry Nadler, Grace F. Napolitano, Joe Neguse, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Donald M. Payne, Jr., Mark Pocan, Katie Porter, Linda Sanchez, John Sarbanes, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Terri Sewell, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, David Trone, Nydia M. Velázquez, Nikema Williams.
You can find more information about the Keep Our PACT Act and additional quotes of support here.
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