Organizations that Support Children with Disabilities Voice Opposition, Request Congressional Oversight
This week, CEC joined more than 800 local, state, and national organizations to call on the Administration and Congress to support an immediate reversal of the RIF to restore staffing and transparency at the U.S. Department of Education.
The letter reads, in part, “These layoffs circumvent the will of Congress and dismantle 50 years of precedent upholding rights for students with disabilities. Without personnel to oversee these laws, the Department cannot provide essential leadership, oversight, guidance, or support to states and schools—jeopardizing students’ access to a free, appropriate public education and hampering the ability of states and localities to serve all students.”
A group of 60 national organizations, including CEC, followed up with a formal request to Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), requesting an oversight hearing to examine recent unilateral actions at the Department of Education, including the most recent RIF. The letter states, “The public deserves to learn how the Secretary plans to fulfill the Department’s full obligations under IDEA and other authorized disability laws.”