August 19, 2025

The Honorable Tom Cole, Chairman
House Committee on Appropriations
H-307, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member
House Committee on Appropriations
H-307, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro:

On behalf of The Arc of the United States, I write to express our strong support for the committee-passed FY26 Senate LHHS appropriations bill which includes strong funding levels for all programs authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and strongly urge you to take up the Senate’s funding levels and report language.

The Arc of the United States has nearly 600 state and local chapters across the United States. These chapters provide a wide range of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including individual and systems advocacy, public education, family support, systems navigation, support coordination services, employment, housing, support groups, and recreation. The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with IDD and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout the lifespan.

The President’s budget describes the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living and proposes the elimination of two of the four programs authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). We strongly oppose these proposed cuts and encourage you to maintain full funding for all four programs– State Councils on Developmental Disabilities; University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities; and Projects of National Significance.

Additionally, the President’s proposed budget included a dismantling of critical programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act—specifically the block-granting of Part B 619 preschool grants and Part D National Activities. Of particular concern is the potential for exacerbation of the special educator shortage if states are not mandated to spend block-granted dollars on Part D Personnel Preparation programs. Additionally, we fear the loss of families’ access to information and knowledge of the rights they hold under IDEA if a dedicated funding line for the Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) is eliminated.

IDEA and the DD Act programs are foundational to a national system that empowers people with developmental disabilities to lead full lives in their communities throughout the lifespan. Cutting these programs would be a step backward in civil rights and community integration for millions of Americans. We strongly urge you to adopt the Senate’s committee-passed budget which recognizes and protects the importance of these programs.
Please contact Mike Nagel (nagel@thearc.org) with any questions. Thank you for your leadership and continued support of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Sincerely,
Julie Ward
Senior Executive Officer for Public Policy
The Arc of the United States