Dear NADSP Community,

I want to share an important update from Congress and express our sincere appreciation to the bipartisan leaders who recently acted to protect essential federal education programs at a moment when those programs faced serious uncertainty.

According to a January 2026 report in K-12 Dive, congressional appropriators advanced a bipartisan budget framework that rejects proposals to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education or transfer its core responsibilities to other agencies. Instead, the proposal maintains federal oversight, preserves key programs, and would modestly strengthen funding levels rather than impose damaging cuts. Just as importantly, this framework affirms that Congress — not ideology should guide decisions about the future of federal education policy.

This action matters deeply to people with intellectual disabilities and autism and to their families across the country. Federal education programs are central to protecting civil rights, ensuring access to appropriate services, and supporting inclusive opportunities in schools and communities. These programs provide critical safeguards and consistency for students who too often face barriers to opportunity. Keeping these responsibilities intact within the Department of Education reinforces accountability and helps ensure that longstanding legal protections are meaningfully upheld.

We are grateful to the members of Congress who chose cooperation over division and stood up for stability, equity, and the public good at a time when doing so is neither easy nor politically convenient.

Thank you for your continued engagement, awareness, and advocacy on these important issues.

With appreciation and solidarity,

Joseph M. Macbeth

President & CEO

National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals