Senate Panel Backs 13-9 Bill to Keep Special Education Out of RFK Jr.'s Agency
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 30
Senate Panel Backs 13-9 Bill to Keep Special Education Out of RFK Jr.'s Agency
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 30
Summary
A bipartisan Senate education panel approved legislation to keep special education and other core offices inside the Education Department, with Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats.
The vote answers alarm over Education Secretary Linda McMahon's reorganization, including a June agreement giving HHS a role in special education programs that critics say could disrupt services for millions of children.
Bill Cassidy, the Republican committee chair, warned HHS involvement could treat disabled students as patients rather than learners; he opposed the broader bill and did not force a vote on his narrower alternative.
Senators also unanimously backed an amendment requiring McMahon to disclose cost estimates for each interagency deal, with her travel funds blocked unless those figures are provided.
The measure still faces long odds on the Senate floor, but supporters say it strengthens appropriators' leverage to slow or curb the administration's Education Department breakup.