Bills · HR 2598
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2598Education programs fundingElementary and secondary education
IDEA Full Funding Act
INTRO APR 2· LAST ACTION APR 2
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
170
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because federal funding for special education has consistently fallen short of the original promise made when the IDEA law was enacted decades ago. This funding gap has forced states and local school districts to divert significant portions of their own budgets to cover special education costs, often at the expense of other essential educational programs or local services.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a more stable and robust financial foundation for special education, potentially leading to higher quality services and resources for students with disabilities nationwide. This could result in improved academic outcomes, better support for student transitions, and a more equitable educational system. If it doesn't pass, the ongoing financial strain on local school budgets due to underfunded federal mandates for special education is likely to continue, potentially impacting the quality and availability of services for vulnerable students.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide full federal funding for Part B, which covers special education for children aged 3-21.
This provision aims to fulfill the long-standing federal commitment to help fund special education services, which has historically been underfunded.
PROVISION 02
Establishes a schedule for mandatory federal appropriations that gradually increase from fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2035 and subsequent years.
This creates a binding commitment for rising federal funding, ensuring a predictable and increasing financial contribution over time rather than relying solely on discretionary annual appropriations.
PROVISION 03
Sets the ultimate federal funding level at 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for children with disabilities by fiscal year 2035.
This provision defines "full funding" as meeting the original 40% federal share promised when the IDEA law was first passed, linking funding levels to the actual cost of educating students with disabilities.
PROVISION 04
Requires that the increased federal spending be consistent with "cut-as-you-go" (PAYGO) requirements.
This provision means that the new federal spending must be offset by cuts elsewhere in the budget or by new revenue, aiming to prevent an increase in the federal deficit.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 170
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
29
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 15%
DEM 157 REP 13 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAPR 2
Introduced in House
APR 2
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 2598
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 2, 2025
Last actionApr 2, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 2, 2025
House BillHR 2598Education programs fundingElementary and secondary education
IDEA Full Funding Act
INTRODUCED APR 2, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 2, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
170
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
