Disability Policy News In Brief

April 22, 2019


April 22, 2019 \| Vol. MMXIX, Issue 16

Congressional Recess

All members of Congress remain in their home communities as part of the District Work Period (April 12-26). This is not a vacation; members will be in their home districts to connect with constituents like you. This is an important time to advocate locally on the issues you care about most. While schedules are likely full for this work period, programs are encouraged to invite members to visit your centers during upcoming district work periods:

May 24-31
June 28-July 8
All of August

Action Steps:

Use this Congressional recess to connect with your member of Congress face-to-face
Ask for a constituent meeting
Attend a public event

Budget

Congress is in the midst of the budget and appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2020, which starts October 1, 2019. House leaders have not yet moved a bill to set federal spending limits. Hearing directly from constituents about why and how program funding impacts their district is the most important way to impact appropriations, or how much money programs receive.
Action Step:
Educate the Congressional Delegation of your state or territory about requested appropriations to support the programs you care about. Simply email sharing AUCD's language and ask.

Autism CARES 2019

The Autism CARES Act - which has expanded research and coordination, increased public awareness and surveillance, and expanded interdisciplinary health professional training, including LENDs, to identify and support children and youth with Autism and their families - will sunset (expire) in September 2019 without a successful reauthorization. Bills to reauthorize the Act have been introduced and need co-sponsors (HR. 1058, S. 427). Currently 14 Senators and 48 Representatives have joined as co-sponsors.

Moving the bill before expiration in September will require action. Congressmen and Co-Sponsors Smith and Doyle have requested that the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Acceptance Month.

Action Steps:

• This week contact your Representative (202-224-3121) and ask them to support the request that the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Acceptance Month.
o Sample Script: "I am [Name] from [State]. I have seen the impact of Autism CARES and the lives changed because of this important legislation. I urge you to ask the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Acceptance Month. Thank you

• Contact your Congressional delegation and make sure they are engaged in the reauthorization.
o Invite your Congressmembers to be a co-sponsor of Autism CARES or thank them for their involvement.

Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019

The Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 ((H.R. 2035; S. 995)
reauthorizes the program through FY 2024 at $200 million over five years. The bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and in the Senate by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).The Lifespan Respite Care Program (LRCP): The U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides competitive grants to state agencies working with Aging and Disability Resource Centers/No Wrong Door Systems and state respite coalitions. The program's purpose is to make quality respite available to family caregivers regardless of care recipient's age or disability through coordinated State Lifespan Respite Systems.

Action Step:

• Contact you members of Congress and share the opportunity to cosponsor and support the Bipartisan Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 2035; S. 995).

Campaign 2020

The following notable candidates are running for president. Your voice is needed to ensure that disability policy is part of the campaign.

Action Steps:

For candidates who are currently in office, share and elevate their position on key disability legislation as noted below. Tip: You can and should ask them to support bills of importance.

Check out the campaign website of each candidate (links below); use the sites to ask questions about disability policy.

Bill Weld (R), Former Governor of Massachusetts

Eric Swalwell (D), U.S. Representative from California

Tim Ryan (D), U.S. Representative from Ohio

· Co-sponsor of the Autism CARES 2019

Beto O'Rourke (D), former U.S. Representative from Texas

Jay Inslee (D), Governor of Washington state

Bernie Sanders (I), U.S. Senator from Vermont