June 2025 Policy News Round-Up
Congress passed a mega tax bill, the RISE Act was reintroduced in the House, young adult advocates took to Capitol Hill for LD Day of Action, and SCOTUS ruled in favor of students with disabilities. Learn more about what NCLD did in June.
Congress Passed Mega Tax Bill With Implications for Disabled Students and Individuals
With a Republican trifecta, Congress passed its budget reconciliation bill with the first national private school voucher program as well as steep cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The voucher program was modified from the Educational Choice for Children Act to the version that ultimately passed to abide by the “Byrd rule.” It is a permanent, uncapped program that provides individuals with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $1700 when they donate to a scholarship granting organization (SGO). The bill requires states to authorize SGOs as well as enables the federal government to develop regulations or guidance. See NCLD’s statement on the voucher program. Because there is no volume cap, if a large number of people claim the tax credit, the Federal government could end up spending more on this program than on IDEA or Title I (the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that a cost could be up to $56 billion per year, an amount that would nearly fully fund IDEA).
The Bipartisan RISE Act Was Reintroduced in the House of Representatives
The Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act was reintroduced in the House or Representatives on June 12th by Representatives Bonamici (D-WA), Houchin (R-IN), Courtney (D-CT), Schrier (D-WA), and Lawler (R-NY). The bill amends the Higher Education Act to streamline accommodations and reduce barriers for college students with disabilities. It mandates that postsecondary institutions accept existing documentation (such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 plans, and professional evaluations) to qualify for disability accommodations, and requires schools to publish transparent, accessible documentation policies. The bill also authorizes $10 million to create a National Center for Information and Technical Support to provide information to students and faculty and requires collection of data on students with disabilities. NCLD will continue to advocate for passing the RISE Act as one of its primary legislative priorities.
Advocates Fly to DC for LD Day of Action
Members of NCLD’s Young Adult Leadership Council (YALC) convened in Washington D.C. from June 16th through 18th to attend the NCLD’s annual LD Day of Action. During the event, YALC members, Family Council parents, alumni, and NCLD staff shared their firsthand experiences.These leaders facilitated policy conversations regarding issues that impact the disability community, including supporting the RISE Act, full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and protecting the U.S. Department of Education.
SCOTUS Ruled Unanimously in Favor of Disabled Students
On June 12, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling in Ava Tharpe v. Osseo Area Schools, making it much easier for families of students with disabilities to sue schools. The case arose when a Minnesota school district denied evening instruction to a student with epilepsy whose condition prevented her from attending school in the mornings, violating her right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). While the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Tharpe was entitled to compensatory education, it dismissed her claim for damages, ruling that families must prove schools acted in “bad faith or gross misjudgment” to make 504 and ADA claims. After appealing the ruling to the Supreme Court, SCOTUS overturned the Eighth Circuit’s decision, instead lowering the standard to “deliberate indifference” (the standard for other types of disability discrimination cases).
Trump Administration Holds Back $6.8 Billion in Federal Funding to Schools
On June 30th, the Trump Administration announced that funding that was scheduled to go out by July 1st is “under review.” These programs include funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I-C for migrant education, II-A for professional development, III-A for English learner services, and IV-A for academic enrichment and IV-B for before and after school programs. These funds total more than 10% of overall K-12 education funding which will force difficult cuts as schools were expecting receiving these funds that Congress appropriated (this is also called impoundment). For a state-by-state impact, see this resource from the Learning Policy Institute.
Secretary McMahon Testified on Capitol Hill
On June 3 and 4, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testified before the House education committee and a Senate appropriations subcommittee regarding the Trump Administration’s proposal to cut the Department of Education’s budget by 15% for FY 2026. Democrats raised alarm over reductions in civil rights enforcement, mental health services, and federal support programs like TRIO and GEAR UP, while some Republicans expressed frustration with federal overreach and mandates on free speech and diversity training. McMahon defended the cuts as part of a broader effort to return control to states and reduce bureaucracy, but struggled to provide specifics on how reductions would impact students and institutions. Check out the full testimony in the House of Representatives.
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ICYMI
- NCLD pens op-ed in The 74 Million: “NAEP data is critical for students with disabilities. It must not disappear.”
- Trump Administration Political Appointees at ED
- NCLD’s CEO Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez on UnidosUS Panel: Defending the Future of Public Education: Watch here.
What We’re Reading:
- The 74 Million: Private School Choice Is the Wrong Choice for Kids With Disabilities, Like Mine
- The 74 Million: For Students With Disabilities, Suspension Not Just a Matter of Race and Gender — But Geography