CAN: Community Action Network alerts

ACTION ALERT

This week the full Senate is expected to vote on their version of the Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill, which will provide funding for
education programs – such as IDEA and Javits grants – for the 2006-2007 school year. As you know, the Senate appropriations committee has voted to drastically under fund IDEA from 18.6 percent to 18 percent, despite Congress’ recent commitment to reach full funding by 2011.

In response to the proposed cut in funding for IDEA, Senators Clinton and Dodd will offer an amendment on the Senate floor which would increase
funding for IDEA by $4 billion. This increase would bring the total amount of funding for IDEA to $14.65 billion, the level authorized for FY 2006 in
IDEA 2004. While CEC’s recommendation was to fund IDEA at $22.61 billion to put appropriations back on track towards reaching full funding by 2011, CEC commends Senators Clinton and Dodd for their recognition that greater funding for IDEA is essential to the achievement of students with
disabilities. In addition, CEC is pleased that Senators Clinton and Dodd have recognized Congress’ intent in the re-authorization of IDEA last year
to reach full funding by 2011, and has taken the first steps to fulfilling this obligation to students with disabilities.

Action Needed
Urge your Senators to support the Clinton-Dodd amendment to increase funding or IDEA. Visit CEC’s Legislative Action Center to identify your Senators and personalize an email to your elected officials! http://capwiz.com/cek/home/

What’s Next?
Every year the House of Representatives and the Senate put forward their funding proposals for education in the Labor/HHS/Education appropriations legislation. After the full Senate and House vote on their respective bills, the bill will then move to a conference committee where a selected group of Senators and Representatives will work to iron out the differences between the two bills in a 'conference committee'. The bill is then sent to the full Congress for a vote, and if passed, sent on to the president for his signature to become law. CEC will continue to monitor the
Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill through every step of this process and will continue to provide updates in CEC’s Weekly Public Policy Updates and on CEC’s website, www.cec.sped.org .

 

*Keep up to date with special education legislation by checking out www.cec.sped.org/pp and get involved by writing your lawmakers! visit: www.capwiz.com/cek.

**Want to get more involved in CAN? Email Clare at mclareavery@yahoo.com .