The Congress faces a September 30 deadline to pass 12 appropriations bills or approve a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government funded. The President's Budget Request included multiple cuts and changes to programs that the Autism Community relies on. Lickily, the House and Senate bills largely rejected these suggested changes and cuts. While many bills have advanced through committee, only three have passed the House floor, and none have passed the Senate floor. Because the House and Senate have proposed very different funding levels, Congress will likely need to pass a continuing resolution to maintain current funding levels while negotiations continue. 

The Autism Society most closely tracks the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies funding bill.  See updates and details on the bills below:

Senate Appropriations Labor, HHS, Ed Committee Bill 

Status: Passed committee with strong bipartisan support (26-3 vote). 

Wins for the Disability Community: 

• Rejected the Administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) and consolidate them under the Independent Living program. 
• Protected funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by blocking proposals to reduce or restructure funding. 
• Maintains IDEA funding at just over $15 billion, consistent with FY2025 levels. 

Includes strong protections requiring: 

• No IDEA funds or programs can be transferred to other agencies. 
• The Department of Education must maintain adequate staffing to carry out its responsibilities. 

Impact: This bill safeguards special education funding and preserves critical disability-related programs. 

House Appropriations Labor, HHS, Ed Committee Bill 

Status: Passed committee but differs from the Senate bill. 

Key Points: 

• Maintains funding for IDEA at FY2025 levels but does not include the Senate’s added protections for fund distribution. 
• Continues funding for essential disability programs, including: 
• PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness) 
• PAVA (Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access) 
• PAIR (Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights) 
• UCEDDs 
• Developmental Disabilities (DD) Councils 
• Independent Living Programs 
• DD Projects of National Significance 
• Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics 

Provides: 

• A slight funding increase for the Mental Health Block Grant. 
• A slight decrease for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). 
• A large decrease in Title I Grants to LEAs. 

The Autism Society is encouraged that both House and Senate bills continue funding IDEA and other critical health and disability programs. However, we strongly support the Senate’s added protections and funding language and will continue advocating for their inclusion in the final FY2026 appropriations package. 

It is critical that we inform Members of Congress on the importance of all of these programs and ensure they are maintained in the final agreement. Please use our Action Alert to inform your Member on IDEA programs, DD Act programs, and the Autism CARES Act funding.