U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, alongside Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative Susie Lee, and 15 other colleagues, has reintroduced the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act. This legislation aims to secure mandatory full funding for Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), programs that have been historically underfunded. These initiatives are crucial for supporting public education in low-income areas and providing education for individuals with learning disabilities.
Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of equitable educational opportunities, stating, "Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, but for too long, a lack of federal funding has disadvantaged the most vulnerable students living in our communities, leaving too many children behind." She further noted that the act would help ensure students receive necessary support regardless of income or disability status.
Title I assists America's highest-need schools but remains underfunded by $35.9 billion according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS) for the 2024-2025 school year. Similarly, IDEA is intended to cover 40 percent of special education costs but currently funds less than 12 percent.
The proposed Keep Our PACT Act seeks to establish a ten-year plan to fully fund both Title I and IDEA within the federal budget. Had this legislation been active in 2024-2025, Maryland could have seen an increase of $647 million from Title I and $672 million from IDEA.
The bill has garnered support from various organizations including the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), among others.
In addition to Senators Hirono and Van Hollen, cosponsors include Senators Michael Bennet, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin, Martin Heinrich, Amy Klobuchar, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, Alex Padilla, Jack Reed, Bernie Sanders, Tina Smith, and Elizabeth Warren.