Watch: Senator Markey celebrates 50^th anniversary of IDEA, decries Trump cuts to special education programs at Department of Education

Washington (December 9, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) on Thursday delivered floor remarks to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which was signed into law on November 29, 1975. The IDEA was enacted to ensure that students with disabilities have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers. Below is an excerpt from Senator Markey’s remarks as prepared.

“Two weeks ago, I visited the Campus School in Boston, a school for students with complex disabilities and extensive support needs. During my visit, I met Natalie, a middle school student, and her mom, Julia. Natalie has Dup15q syndrome, which causes serious developmental, behavioral, and medical needs such as frequent seizures. Natalie requires 24-hour caregiving support. Natalie’s story demonstrates how crucial the IDEA is—and how devasting Trump and MAGA Republican cuts will be to families around the country.

“Her school pays $18 million each year to allow students like Natalie to receive the highest quality and best fit school placements out of district. In turn, her school receives $1.7 million from IDEA funding and a half a million dollars in Medicaid funds to offset those costs—around 10%. If this federal funding is jeopardized, the school, Natalie and her peers, their educators, and their families, will have no idea how to continue providing the level of education that these students not only deserve, but also are legally entitled to. Natalie’s disability does not preclude her ability nor deny her the right to receive an excellent education. At school and at home, Natalie radiates joy because she is given the support she needs to flourish. Every student with disabilities is worthy of that same support, inclusion, and joy.”

Senator Markey is leading the fight against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle public education in the United States and to provide essential resources for students with disabilities.

• On November 21, Senator Markey visited the Campus School at Boston College and met with students and spoke with parents and educators about the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle the Department of Education.
• On November 18, Senator Markey released a statement after the Trump administration announced its plan to further dismantle the Department of Education, closing six offices and moving critical functions to other agencies.
• On July 24, Senator Markey introduced the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, legislation that would create $25 billion in annual federal funding for schools that set a minimum wage for school staff of $45,000 per year, or $30 per hour.
• On July 17, Senator Markey reintroduced the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, legislation that would establish higher wages, career pipelines, and professional development opportunities for school paraeducators.
• On April 4, Senator Markey, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, and the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation wrote to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon after the Department of Education notified the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that the Department would rescind $106 million in funding already disbursed to school districts across the state for K-12 education.
• On April 3, Senator Markey and Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights.
• On April 1, Senator Markey slammed the Trump administration after the Administration announced its decision to cut $106 million in K-12 education funding in Massachusetts, and more than $2 billion to K-12 schools nationwide.
• On March 20, Senator Markey slammed Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education.
• On March 11, Senator Markey delivered remarks on the Senate floor to spotlight Trump’s plan to gut the Department.
• On February 27, Senator Markey introduced the No Cuts to Public Schools Act, which would prevent any cuts to federal education formula funding during the Trump administration.
• On February 10, Senator Markey held a press conference in Boston with Massachusetts educators and teachers’ unions on Trump’s vow to dismantle the Department, and the impact on Massachusetts students, educators, and communities.
• On February 6, Senator Markey, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, along with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, released a joint statement after President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education.

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