This Balance Sheet tracks the Federal budget and appropriations process for IDEA funds for FY 2026 which covers the period of October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026.
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS: The first step in this process is the release of the President’s Budget Request, followed by activities of the Appropriations Committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives, formulations of Appropriations bills that are approved by the committees, then advance to full Senate and House, enactment of a conferenced appropriations bill that is signed into law by the President.
May 5, 2025: White House releases the President’s FY26 Budget Request. The request maintains funding for IDEA at previous year’s level.
May 21, 2025: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testifies before the House Appropriations Committee on the Education Department’s FY 2026 budget request. Watch the hearing here.