Central Florida Congressional Delegation Helps Secure More Than $20 Million for Special Olympics in Key House Bill

The House Appropriations Committee approved legislation that would provide $21.1 million for Special Olympics programs, after Reps. Stephanie Murphy, Darren Soto, and Val Demings led an effort earlier this year to ensure strong federal support for the organization. Orlando is scheduled to host the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

In March, the Trump Administration sought to eliminate all federal support for the Special Olympics. Murphy, Soto, and Demings immediately sent a letter to the Administration pledging to "do everything in our power to prevent this cut from occurring." Following the letter, President Trump reversed course and announced his Administration would no longer pursue defunding the Special Olympics.Separately, Murphy and her fellow central Florida representatives formally asked the House Appropriations Committee to increase federal support for the Special Olympics from its current level of $17.5 million. The Committee did so, proposing to increase funding for the Special Olympics by over $3.5 million, to $21.1 million.

"Supporting the Special Olympics means supporting a global movement of inclusivity, acceptance, and empowerment for people with intellectual disabilities,"said Soto."After Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos cruelly defended cuts to the Special Olympics before Congress, Reps. Demings, Murphy and I stepped up and fought to include these funds in the federal budget. Our community is thrilled to be hosting the 2022 USA Games and to be a part of this life-changing experience for athletes."

"Federal support for the Special Olympics and its athletes will empower more individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential. That's why I stood up to Secretary DeVos and this Administration as they tried to defund these critical investments," said Murphy. "The Orlando delegation came together on this issue, and Val, Darren, and I are proud that we are helping restore and increase funding for the Special Olympics."


"I'm relieved that our earlier advocacy forced the Trump Administration to suspend their cuts to the Special Olympics, which Orlando will be proudly hosting in 2022. The Special Olympics has been a life-changing opportunity for countless Americans and deserves our full support,"said Demings. "That's why I am proud join my colleagues Rep. Soto and Rep. Murphy to announce progress in our work to increase funding for this incredible humanitarian organization as we ready Orlando for the largest humanitarian event in Florida's history."

Special Olympics is the largest sports organization in the world for people with intellectual disabilities, boasting 5 million athletes in 172 countries. The Special Olympics USA Summer Games are held every four years, and the 2022 sporting event in Orlando is expected to have a $61 million impact on central Florida's economy. The upcoming games are slated to become the largest humanitarian event in the history of Florida and will also mark the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Florida