OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

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Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 4, 2025
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, which mandated that every child with a disability in America should have access to a high-quality public education.

When Congress passed IDEA in 1975, it was a landmark step toward educational equity. It opened classroom doors to ensure that every child with a disability could grow, learn, and succeed at school. The legislation expanded opportunities for millions of students with disabilities, helping them reach their full potential.

Unfortunately, before 1975, students with disabilities had long been denied access to public education, but IDEA transformed the public school experience for students with disabilities and their families.

Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to our students in this country. Thanks to IDEA, our education system is working to serve the needs of every student in America.

This important milestone shows how far we have come in educating students with disabilities, and the legacy of this landmark legislation means a brighter future for all.

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