Transgender / Disability News - January 24, 2026
Editor's Note: The disability community is increasingly preferring to use identity-first language (disabled person) in place of person-first language (person with a disability). This is because many in the community view disability as being a core component of identity, much like race and gender. Some members of the community, such as people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, still prefer person-first language. Both should be considered valid. Articles shared in this newsletter may contain one or the other (or both) depending on the author's preference, and if they themselves have a disability.
A bit of good news in the middle of it all:
All anti-transgender provisions stripped from House and Senate funding bills by Trudy Ring on January 21, 2026 at Advocate
"Anti-trans riders were stripped from each bill as it was considered by House and Senate negotiators working out differences, and Tuesday morning the two chambers released the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes the appropriations for Education, HHS, Labor, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, and Transportation. There are no anti-trans provisions in the act, which is still subject to a vote by the two chambers."
Congress Poised To Reject Trump Changes To Special Ed, Disability Programs by Michelle Diament on January 23, 2026 at DisabilityScoop
"A budget agreement working its way through Congress rebuffs Trump administration efforts to make major changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and eliminate some disability programs. Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are working furiously to approve funding for most federal agencies before it expires Jan. 30. The House approved a bipartisan agreement this week that would fund the agencies through September and the Senate is expected to take up the measure next week."
Meanwhile the fight against ICE goes on:
Thousands rally against ICE in Minneapolis in below-zero temperatures by Matt Lavietes and Nicole Acevedo on January 23, 2026 at NBC News
"Thousands of people rallied in subzero temperatures in a march against the federal government’s immigration crackdown taking place in the city. Organizers gave hand-warmers to demonstrators as they shouted "ICE out," waved American flags and carried signs calling for the arrest of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7."
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