1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

The recent layoffs of over 1,300 employees at the Department of Education have significantly weakened enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These staff reductions directly impact the federal government’s ability to ensure schools comply with the law, putting students with disabilities at risk of losing necessary services and legal protections. Without proper oversight, schools may fail to provide special education services, leaving families to navigate complex legal challenges on their own. Students in rural and low-income communities, where resources are already limited, will be disproportionately affected. These cuts reduce the federal government’s ability to monitor compliance, investigate violations, and ensure that students receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), as required by law. It is Congress’s responsibility to ensure IDEA is fully implemented and enforced. I urge you to take immediate action to restore the necessary staffing and funding so that all students with disabilities receive the education and support they are entitled to under federal law. I look forward to your action to support IDEA.