Potential Shakeup of Special Education Programs

A Senate committee is looking at a July vote that could stop the Trump administration from moving key special‑education duties to the Health and Human Services Department. The move would bring those programs under the control of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , who heads HHS. Disability advocates are worried that this change could hurt students with special needs. They point to Kennedy’s past comments about autism, which many see as controversial. The federal government says students’ rights will still be protected and that the shift won’t affect families. Kennedy claims the change will give better help to people with disabilities. He says it will improve learning and job prospects for all children.Senator Bill Cassidy, who chairs the education committee, disagrees. He told a June meeting that he does not want special‑education programs in HHS. He would prefer they go to the Labor Department instead. Cassidy is backing a vote from Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine next month. The motion would stop HHS from running the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Several moderate Republicans, like Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, are on the committee. Kaine thinks lawmakers can unite to block Trump’s plan. Kaine criticizes Trump for trying to dismantle the Education Department without Congress. He says Trump treats it like a store being sold off. The outcome of the vote could change how special‑education services are managed in the United States. It will also affect both Kennedy and Education Secretary Linda McMahon.