Secretary Cardona Testifies on Department of Education’s 2022 Budget Request
On Wednesday, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies to discuss Biden’s fiscal year 2022 Budget Request for the Department of Education.
In their opening statements, Chairwoman Murray and Ranking Member Blunt expressed support for investments in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Specifically, Chairwoman Murray pointed to the budget proposal’s historic $3 billion investment in the IDEA to support students with disabilities, which would put IDEA on a glidepath to fulfilling Congress’ promise to fund 40% of per pupil expenditures as opposed to the 13% currently provided. She highlighted that the increase in funding would help address teacher shortages for students with disabilities and support early intervention practices.
Ranking Member Blunt praised many of the programs supported in the proposal but voiced concern over the proposed 41% increase in overall spending by the Department, especially in light of the unprecedented amount of emergency funding provided by COVID-relief bills.
Cardona said the budget proposal was designed to begin to address inequities experienced by students of color and teachers in underserved schools. He touched on the impacts of the American Rescue Plan and its success in supporting in-person learning. Cardona elaborated on investments in K-12 education and Title I grants to local educational agencies, programs to support students’ physical and mental health, community based programs for students in underserved schools, teacher training and support, and more.
Hearing from the Secretary is a first step in the Subcommittee’s process of drafting and advancing a spending bill. In the coming months, the Subcommittee will take input Members and stakeholders, draft a bill, and work to advance it through the Senate. The House of Representatives, which typically moves first on spending bills, heard from Cardona last month and is expected to release and consider its version of the spending bill next month.