Autism Speaks, Get Involved, Government Affairs, Demand Congressional Action on the Combating Autism Act

The Senate approved an amended version of the Combating Autism Act (S. 843) on August 3, 2006, which is supported by all major autism organizations. The House bill has 227 supporters, more than half of the entire House, but House consideration has been stalled by Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX). (He wants the Senate to consider his NIH reform bill first, believes that the NIH reform bill will address many of the concerns of the autism community, and does not want to pass legislation regarding a single disease.)

To get the Senate-passed bill to the House Floor so it can be enacted this year, the House Republican leaders need to know that the bill is important to their colleagues.

Here's how you can help:

(1) Call your U.S. Representative, particularly if he or she is a Republican . (Republican House Members can influence their leadership, and since Republicans are in the majority during this Congress, their leaders determine the House agenda.) You can reach your Representative by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121 . If you are not sure who your Representative is, or would like his or her direct number, please click here.

When you call, ask the receptionist if you can speak to the Legislative Assistant (LA) who handles autism or health issues. If they are not available, leave a voice-mail message, including your name and address (so they know you are a constituent). Always speak calmly and politely.

TALKING POINTS:

I am a constituent of Representative ___, from [your town] and am calling about the Combating Autism Act. [Briefly, explain your personal involvement with autism and its impact on your child's/family's life.]
I am calling to ask that Representative ____ contact Speaker Hastert , Majority Leader Boehner [pronounced ‘Bay-ner'], and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton to urge that theSenate-passed version of the Combating Autism Act (S.843) be brought to the House Floor for a vote when Congress returns in November.
I understand that Chairman Barton would like to see the NIH reform bill pass first, and believes that the broad NIH bill would address many of the concerns of the autism community. BUT...
The NIH bill does NOT include important provisions that are in the Senate bill, particularly those to ensure that NIH will fund research into the possible environmental causes of autism, an area of research that has not received sufficient attention to date.
And, it does not make sense to delay passage of the widely supported Combating Autism Act – and thus delay important autism research.
Autism deserves special consideration, due to its growing rate, profound impact on families, huge cost to society, and the sheer number of children and families affected. It is estimated that 1 in 166 children born today will be diagnosed with autism.
Do you think that Representative ___ will be willing to contact Chairman Barton and the House leadership about this issue?

(2) Call the offices of House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Majority Leader John Boehner (R?OH), and Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX).

Call Speaker Hastert at 202-225-0600 .
Call Majority Leader Boehner [pronounced Bay-ner] at 202-225-4000 .
Call Chairman Barton in DC at 202?225?2002 or in his Texas office at 817-543-1000 .

Politely, tell the staff how important this bill is to children with autism and their families. If you are not a constituent, tell them that you are calling them in their capacity as a national leader (or for Barton, as a committee chair).

TALKING POINTS:

I am calling from the district of Representative ____, to urge that you make sure that the Senate-passed Combating Autism Act (S. 843) is brought to a House vote this year. I have also called his/her office about this.
[Briefly, explain your personal involvement with autism and its impact on your child's/family's life.
I understand that Chairman Barton would like to see the NIH reform bill pass first, and believes that the broad NIH bill would address many of the concerns of the autism community. BUT...
The NIH bill does NOT include important provisions that are in the Senate bill, particularly those to ensure that NIH will fund research into the possible environmental causes of autism, an area of research that has not received sufficient attention to date.
And, it does not make sense to delay passage of the widely supported Combating Autism Act – and thus delay important autism research.
Autism deserves special consideration, due to its growing rate, profound impact on families, huge cost to society, and the sheer number of children and families affected. It is estimated that 1 in 166 children born today will be diagnosed with autism.
I know that you can make a vote happen. Please let the House vote on the Senate-passed bill in November. Many children and families are counting on this legislation.

Our fight is far from over! Please make these calls today!

About The Combating Autism Act of 2006

The Combating Autism Act of 2006 builds on the provisions of the Children's Health Act of 2000 and would authorize approximately $920 million in federal funds over five years to combat autism through research, screening, intervention and education.

The Combating Autism Act of 2006 is supported by the following autism organizations:

Autism One
Autism Society of America
Autism Speaks
COSAC
Cure Autism Now
Dan Marino Foundation
Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation
First Signs
Generation Rescue
The Help Group
National Autism Association
Organization for Autism Research
S.A.F.E. Inc.
SafeMinds
Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
TalkAutism
The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology
Unlocking Autism
US Autism and Asperger Association

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