Tom Harkin: “I rise in support of the amendment by Senators Dodd and Jeffords. The amendment transfers $6 billion in fiscal year 1995…”

“I rise in support of the amendment by Senators Dodd and Jeffords. The amendment transfers $6 billion in fiscal year 1995 to the IDEA, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, first established in 1975. As chairman of the subcommittee that funds education programs, IDEA has always been among my highest priorities, and I am proud of the increases we have achieved. However, our ability to appropriate funds for IDEA programs is limited by the allotment that is provided to my subcommittee. This amendment will make it more likely that thousands of children with disabilities will receive the education they are entitled to under the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment and the comparable provision included in every State constitution in this Nation. I want to do two things with my time. I want to explain why the program is a good investment. Second, I also want to make it clear, in the strongest possible terms, that IDEA, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, is not an unfunded mandate.”