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On February 3, 2026, Congress passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations measure as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026. The final legislation provides funding for key priorities for the Down syndrome and broader disability community. Highlights include:
- Increased appropriations for Down syndrome research and Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH);
- Funding for important disability programs administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL); and
- Dedicated appropriations for IDEA special education programs.
As part of its final Labor-HHS report, Congress also addressed the Department of Education’s unprecedented use of Interagency Agreements to transfer core programs and responsibilities to other federal departments. NDSS agrees with lawmakers that such actions will weaken federal oversight of laws that are designed to protect the rights of students, including those with disabilities.