[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 133 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H8779-H8788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMBATING AUTISM ACT OF 2006
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the Senate bill (S. 843) to amend the Public Health Service Act to
combat autism through research, screening, intervention and education,
as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
[[Page H8780]]
S. 843
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Autism Act of
2006''.
SEC. 2. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE; IMPROVING AUTISM-RELATED
RESEARCH.
(a) Centers of Excellence Regarding Research on Autism.--
Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.284g)
is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``autism'' and
inserting ``autism spectrum disorder'';
(2) by striking the term ``autism'' each place such term
appears (other than the section heading) and inserting
``autism spectrum disorder''; and
(3) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) Expansion of activities.--The Director of NIH (in
this section referred to as the `Director') shall, subject to
the availability of appropriations, expand, intensify, and
coordinate the activities of the National Institutes of
Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder,
including basic and clinical research in fields including
pathology, developmental neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics,
pharmacology, nutrition, immunology, neuroimmunology,
neurobehavioral development, endocrinology, gastroenterology,
and toxicology. Such research shall investigate the cause
(including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or rule
out, early detection, prevention, services, supports,
intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
``(2) Consolidation.--The Director may consolidate program
activities under this section if such consolidation would
improve program efficiencies and outcomes.''.
(b) Centers of Excellence Generally.--Part A of title IV of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 404H. REVIEW OF CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.
``(a) In General.--Not later than April 1, 2008, and
periodically thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the
Director of NIH, shall conduct a review and submit a report
to the appropriate committees of the Congress on the centers
of excellence.
``(b) Report Contents.--Each report under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
``(1) Evaluation of the performance and research outcomes
of each center of excellence.
``(2) Recommendations for promoting coordination of
information among centers of excellence.
``(3) Recommendations for improving the effectiveness,
efficiency, and outcomes of the centers of excellence.
``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term `center of
excellence' means an entity receiving funding under this
title in its capacity as a center of excellence.''.
SEC. 3. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``PART R--PROGRAMS RELATING TO AUTISM
``SEC. 399AA. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SURVEILLANCE AND
RESEARCH PROGRAM.
``(a) Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental
Disabilities.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
may award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible
entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of State
epidemiological data on autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities. An eligible entity shall assist
with the development and coordination of State autism
spectrum disorder and other developmental disability
surveillance efforts within a region. In making such awards,
the Secretary may provide direct technical assistance in lieu
of cash.
``(2) Data standards.--In submitting epidemiological data
to the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1), an eligible
entity shall report data according to guidelines prescribed
by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, after consultation with relevant State and local
public health officials, private sector developmental
disability researchers, and advocates for individuals with
autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities.
``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an award
under paragraph (1), an entity shall be a public or nonprofit
private entity (including a health department of a State or a
political subdivision of a State, a university, or any other
educational institution), and submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
``(b) Centers of Excellence in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Epidemiology.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, award
grants or cooperative agreements for the establishment of
regional centers of excellence in autism spectrum disorder
and other developmental disabilities epidemiology for the
purpose of collecting and analyzing information on the
number, incidence, correlates, and causes of autism spectrum
disorder and other developmental disabilities.
``(2) Requirements.--To be eligible to receive a grant or
cooperative agreement under paragraph (1), an entity shall
submit to the Secretary an application containing such
agreements and information as the Secretary may require,
including an agreement that the center to be established
under the grant or cooperative agreement shall operate in
accordance with the following:
``(A) The center will collect, analyze, and report autism
spectrum disorder and other developmental disability data
according to guidelines prescribed by the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after
consultation with relevant State and local public health
officials, private sector developmental disability
researchers, and advocates for individuals with developmental
disabilities.
``(B) The center will develop or extend an area of special
research expertise (including genetics, epigenetics, and
epidemiological research related to environmental exposures),
immunology, and other relevant research specialty areas.
``(C) The center will identify eligible cases and controls
through its surveillance system and conduct research into
factors which may cause or increase the risk of autism
spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.
``(c) Federal Response.--The Secretary shall coordinate the
Federal response to requests for assistance from State
health, mental health, and education department officials
regarding potential or alleged autism spectrum disorder or
developmental disability clusters.
``(d) Definitions.--In this part:
``(1) Other developmental disabilities.--The term `other
developmental disabilities' has the meaning given the term
`developmental disability' in section 102(8) of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002(8)).
``(2) State.--The term `State' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands.
``(e) Sunset.--This section shall not apply after September
30, 2011.
``SEC. 399BB. AUTISM EDUCATION, EARLY DETECTION, AND
INTERVENTION.
``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section--
``(1) to increase awareness, reduce barriers to screening
and diagnosis, promote evidence-based interventions for
individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities, and train professionals to
utilize valid and reliable screening tools to diagnose or
rule out and provide evidence-based interventions for
children with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities; and
``(2) to conduct activities under this section with a focus
on an interdisciplinary approach (as defined in programs
developed under section 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act)
that will also focus on specific issues for children who are
not receiving an early diagnosis and subsequent
interventions.
``(b) In General.--The Secretary shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, establish and evaluate
activities to--
``(1) provide information and education on autism spectrum
disorder and other developmental disabilities to increase
public awareness of developmental milestones;
``(2) promote research into the development and validation
of reliable screening tools for autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disabilities and disseminate information
regarding those screening tools;
``(3) promote early screening of individuals at higher risk
for autism spectrum disorder and other developmental
disabilities as early as practicable, given evidence-based
screening techniques and interventions;
``(4) increase the number of individuals who are able to
confirm or rule out a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
and other developmental disabilities;
``(5) increase the number of individuals able to provide
evidence-based interventions for individuals diagnosed with
autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities;
and
``(6) promote the use of evidence-based interventions for
individuals at higher risk for autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disabilities as early as practicable.
``(c) Information and Education.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (b)(1), the
Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education
and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, provide culturally competent
information regarding autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities, risk factors, characteristics,
identification, diagnosis or rule out, and evidence-based
interventions to meet the needs of individuals with autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities and
their families through--
``(A) Federal programs, including--
``(i) the Head Start program;
``(ii) the Early Start program;
``(iii) the Healthy Start program;
``(iv) programs under the Child Care and Development Block
Grant Act of 1990;
``(v) programs under title XIX of the Social Security Act
(particularly the Medicaid
[[Page H8781]]
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment
Program);
``(vi) the program under title XXI of the Social Security
Act (the State Children's Health Insurance Program);
``(vii) the program under title V of the Social Security
Act (the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program);
``(viii) the program under parts B and C of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act;
``(ix) the special supplemental nutrition program for
women, infants, and children established under section 17 of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); and
``(x) the State grant program under the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973.
``(B) State licensed child care facilities; and
``(C) other community-based organizations or points of
entry for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities to receive services.
``(2) Lead agency.--
``(A) Designation.--As a condition on the provision of
assistance or the conduct of activities under this section
with respect to a State, the Secretary may require the
Governor of the State--
``(i) to designate a public agency as a lead agency to
coordinate the activities provided for under paragraph (1) in
the State at the State level; and
``(ii) acting through such lead agency, to make available
to individuals and their family members, guardians,
advocates, or authorized representatives; providers; and
other appropriate individuals in the State, comprehensive
culturally competent information about State and local
resources regarding autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities, risk factors, characteristics,
identification, diagnosis or rule out, available services and
supports, and evidence-based interventions.
``(B) Requirements of agency.--In designating the lead
agency under subparagraph (A)(i), the Governor shall--
``(i) select an agency that has demonstrated experience and
expertise in--
``(I) autism spectrum disorder and other developmental
disability issues; and
``(II) developing, implementing, conducting, and
administering programs and delivering education, information,
and referral services (including technology-based curriculum-
development services) to individuals with developmental
disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates
or authorized representatives, providers, and other
appropriate individuals locally and across the State; and
``(ii) consider input from individuals with developmental
disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates
or authorized representatives, providers, and other
appropriate individuals.
``(C) Information.--Information under subparagraph (A)(ii)
shall be provided through--
``(i) toll-free telephone numbers;
``(ii) Internet websites;
``(iii) mailings; or
``(iv) such other means as the Governor may require.
``(d) Tools.--
``(1) In general.--To promote the use of valid and reliable
screening tools for autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities, the Secretary shall develop a
curriculum for continuing education to assist individuals in
recognizing the need for valid and reliable screening tools
and the use of such tools.
``(2) Collection, storage, coordination, and
availability.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
Secretary of Education, shall provide for the collection,
storage, coordination, and public availability of tools
described in paragraph (1), educational materials and other
products that are used by the Federal programs referred to in
subsection (c)(1)(A), as well as--
``(A) programs authorized under the Developmental
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000;
``(B) early intervention programs or interagency
coordinating councils authorized under part C of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
``(C) children with special health care needs programs
authorized under title V of the Social Security Act.
``(3) Required sharing.--In establishing mechanisms and
entities under this subsection, the Secretary, and the
Secretary of Education, shall ensure the sharing of tools,
materials, and products developed under this subsection among
entities receiving funding under this section.
``(e) Diagnosis.--
``(1) Training.--The Secretary, in coordination with
activities conducted under title V of the Social Security
Act, shall, subject to the availability of appropriations,
expand existing interdisciplinary training opportunities or
opportunities to increase the number of sites able to
diagnose or rule out individuals with autism spectrum
disorder or other developmental disabilities and ensure
that--
``(A) competitive grants or cooperative agreements are
awarded to public or nonprofit agencies, including
institutions of higher education, to expand existing or
develop new maternal and child health interdisciplinary
leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related
disabilities programs (similar to the programs developed
under section 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) in States
that do not have such a program;
``(B) trainees under such training programs--
``(i) receive an appropriate balance of academic, clinical,
and community opportunities;
``(ii) are culturally competent;
``(iii) are ethnically diverse;
``(iv) demonstrate a capacity to evaluate, diagnose or rule
out, develop, and provide evidence-based interventions to
individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities; and
``(v) demonstrate an ability to use a family-centered
approach; and
``(C) program sites provide culturally competent services.
``(2) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may award one or
more grants under this section to provide technical
assistance to the network of interdisciplinary training
programs.
``(3) Best practices.--The Secretary shall promote research
into additional valid and reliable tools for shortening the
time required to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities and
detecting individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities at an earlier age.
``(f) Intervention.--The Secretary shall promote research,
through grants or contracts, to determine the evidence-based
practices for interventions for individuals with autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities,
develop guidelines for those interventions, and disseminate
information related to such research and guidelines.
``(g) Sunset.--This section shall not apply after September
30, 2011.
``SEC. 399CC. INTERAGENCY AUTISM COORDINATING COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
committee, to be known as the `Interagency Autism
Coordinating Committee' (in this section referred to as the
`Committee'), to coordinate all efforts within the Department
of Health and Human Services concerning autism spectrum
disorder.
``(b) Responsibilities.--In carrying out its duties under
this section, the Committee shall--
``(1) develop and annually update a summary of advances in
autism spectrum disorder research related to causes,
prevention, treatment, early screening, diagnosis or rule
out, intervention, and access to services and supports for
individuals with autism spectrum disorder;
``(2) monitor Federal activities with respect to autism
spectrum disorder;
``(3) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding any
appropriate changes to such activities, including
recommendations to the Director of NIH with respect to the
strategic plan developed under paragraph (5);
``(4) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding
public participation in decisions relating to autism spectrum
disorder;
``(5) develop and annually update a strategic plan for the
conduct of, and support for, autism spectrum disorder
research, including proposed budgetary requirements; and
``(6) submit to the Congress such strategic plan and any
updates to such plan.
``(c) Membership.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of--
``(A) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention;
``(B) the Director of the National Institutes of Health,
and the Directors of such national research institutes of the
National Institutes of Health as the Secretary determines
appropriate;
``(C) the heads of such other agencies as the Secretary
determines appropriate;
``(D) representatives of other Federal Governmental
agencies that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder
such as the Department of Education; and
``(E) the additional members appointed under paragraph (2).
``(2) Additional members.--Not fewer than 6 members of the
Committee, or 1/3 of the total membership of the Committee,
whichever is greater, shall be composed of non-Federal public
members to be appointed by the Secretary, of which--
``(A) at least one such member shall be an individual with
a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder;
``(B) at least one such member shall be a parent or legal
guardian of an individual with an autism spectrum disorder;
and
``(C) at least one such member shall be a representative of
leading research, advocacy, and service organizations for
individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
``(d) Administrative Support; Terms of Service; Other
Provisions.--The following provisions shall apply with
respect to the Committee:
``(1) The Committee shall receive necessary and appropriate
administrative support from the Secretary.
``(2) Members of the Committee appointed under subsection
(c)(2) shall serve for a term of 4 years, and may be
reappointed for one or more additional 4 year term. Any
member appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term
shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. A member
may serve after the expiration of the member's term until a
successor has taken office.
``(3) The Committee shall meet at the call of the
chairperson or upon the request of the Secretary. The
Committee shall meet not fewer than 2 times each year.
``(4) All meetings of the Committee shall be public and
shall include appropriate time
[[Page H8782]]
periods for questions and presentations by the public.
``(e) Subcommittees; Establishment and Membership.--In
carrying out its functions, the Committee may establish
subcommittees and convene workshops and conferences. Such
subcommittees shall be composed of Committee members and may
hold such meetings as are necessary to enable the
subcommittees to carry out their duties.
``(f) Sunset.--This section shall not apply after September
30, 2011, and the Committee shall be terminated on such date.
``SEC. 399DD. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 4 years after the date of
enactment of the Combating Autism Act of 2006, the Secretary,
in coordination with the Secretary of Education, shall
prepare and submit to the Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions Committee of the Senate and the Energy and Commerce
Committee of the House of Representatives a progress report
on activities related to autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities.
``(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a)
shall contain--
``(1) a description of the progress made in implementing
the provisions of the Combating Autism Act of 2006;
``(2) a description of the amounts expended on the
implementation of the particular provisions of Combating
Autism Act of 2006;
``(3) information on the incidence of autism spectrum
disorder and trend data of such incidence since the date of
enactment of the Combating Autism Act of 2006;
``(4) information on the average age of diagnosis for
children with autism spectrum disorder and other
disabilities, including how that age may have changed over
the 4-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act;
``(5) information on the average age for intervention for
individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities, including how that age may have
changed over the 4-year period beginning on the date of
enactment of this Act;
``(6) information on the average time between initial
screening and then diagnosis or rule out for individuals with
autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities,
as well as information on the average time between diagnosis
and evidence-based intervention for individuals with autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities;
``(7) information on the effectiveness and outcomes of
interventions for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum
disorder, including by various subtypes, and other
developmental disabilities and how the age of the child may
affect such effectiveness;
``(8) information on the effectiveness and outcomes of
innovative and newly developed intervention strategies for
individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities; and
``(9) information on services and supports provided to
individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities who have reached the age of
majority (as defined for purposes of section 615(m) of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1415(m)).''.
(b) Repeals.--The following sections of the Children's
Health Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-310) are repealed:
(1) Section 102 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4b), relating to the
Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program.
(2) Section 103 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4c), relating to
information and education.
(3) Section 104 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4d), relating to the Inter-
Agency Autism Coordinating Committee.
(4) Section 105 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4e), relating to reports.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Part R of title III of the Public Health
Service Act, as added by section 3, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``SEC. 399EE. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research
Program.--To carry out section 399AA, there are authorized to
be appropriated the following:
``(1) For fiscal year 2007, $15,000,000.
``(2) For fiscal year 2008, $16,500,000.
``(3) For fiscal year 2009, $18,000,000.
``(4) or fiscal year 2010, $19,500,000.
``(5) For fiscal year 2011, $21,000,000.
``(b) Autism Education, Early Detection, and
Intervention.--To carry out section 399BB, there are
authorized to be appropriated the following:
``(1) For fiscal year 2007, $32,000,000.
``(2) For fiscal year 2008, $37,000,000.
``(3) For fiscal year 2009, $42,000,000.
``(4) For fiscal year 2010, $47,000,000.
``(5) For fiscal year 2011, $52,000,000.
``(c) Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee; Certain
Other Programs.--To carry out section 399CC, 409C, and
section 404H, there are authorized to be appropriated the
following:
``(1) For fiscal year 2007, $100,000,000.
``(2) For fiscal year 2008, $114,500,000.
``(3) For fiscal year 2009, $129,000,000.
``(4) For fiscal year 2010, $143,500,000.
``(5) For fiscal year 2011, $158,000,000.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 409C of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended by striking
subsection (e) (relating to funding).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Deal) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to join Chairman Barton in support of S. 843, as
amended, the Combating Autism Act of 2006. Although many of us would
like to have done more sooner, the bill represents a positive step
forward in addressing the serious problem of autism in the United
States. The legislation focuses on expanding and coordinating autism
research at the National Institutes of Health, monitoring the disorder
and educating the public through programs at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, as well as ensuring that citizens have a voice
in the Federal Government's response to autism.
{time} 1230
Leo Kanner first described autism in 1943 as a developmental disorder
characterized by ``extreme autistic loneliness'' and ``an obsessional
desire for the maintenance of sameness.'' Since the 1940s, we have
learned much more about autism, including its diagnosis, traits, and
possible treatments.
Data from several recent studies show that between two and six out of
every 1,000 children fall within the definition of what is called
autism spectrum disorder. That means that of the roughly 4 million
children born in the United States each year, about 24,000 of these
children will eventually be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Autism affects many aspects of a person's mental development,
including social skills; speech, language and communication; repetitive
behaviors and routines; and the other ways that children interact with
the world. These children also often exhibit emotional problems,
challenging behaviors, hyperactivity and other difficulties.
As a child with autism grows into adolescence, some of these
behaviors are intensified. The teen suffering from autism may also
suffer from depression related to their inability to interact normally
with their peers.
All of these problems exert tremendous pressures on parents and
siblings, who often must devote round-the-clock attention to a family
member with autism.
Although there is no cure for autism, early detection and early
intervention have shown promise in lessening the impact of the disorder
and increasing a child's ability to have normal social interaction and
functioning. Early intervention is a child's best hope for reaching his
or her full potential.
Furthermore, research has shown that development disabilities like
autism can be diagnosed as early as 18 months; however, an estimated 50
percent of children with these disorders remain unidentified until they
are 5 years old, missing critical opportunities to improve their
functioning early on. Therefore, it is imperative that both parents and
doctors caring for children learn the warning signs of autism and are
familiar with the developmental milestones that each child should
reach.
The legislation before us takes several steps to improve upon and
expand educational and outreach activities that will alert the public
on the warning signs for autism and the need for early screening and
intervention. It will also strengthen biomedical research activities
conducted at the National Institutes of Health looking into the causes,
pathways and possible cures for autism spectrum disorder.
Finally, the legislation provides for public participation in
decisions relating to the Federal response to the autism problem,
allowing for greater transparency and accountability.
I am also pleased that many of the major groups and organizations
representing autistic people and their families have chosen to support
this important piece of legislation. The Autism Society of America,
Cure Autism
[[Page H8783]]
Now, Autism Speaks and the Dan Marino Foundation are just a few of the
many organizations that support the reforms in this bill.
Finally, I would like to thank the lead House sponsor of the
Combating Autism Act, Mrs. Bono of California, for her efforts on
behalf of autistic people and their families.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of S. 843, the Combating Autism Act of 2006.
Today, many American children suffer from autism spectrum disorders.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that
between two in 1,000 to five in 1,000 children are classified as having
an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. Whether this increase is due to a
true increase in prevalence or whether it is due to changes in
assessment standards, it is clear that ASDs are the second most common
serious developmental disability after mental retardation or
intellectual impairment.
According to the CDC, autism spectrum disorders are a group of
developmental disabilities characterized by significant impairments in
social interaction and communication and the presence of atypical
behaviors and interests. It is important that we treat common
developmental disabilities, and especially autism, as conditions of
urgent public health concern, and the Combating Autism Act of 2006
certainly moves in that direction.
Mr. Speaker, this bill would authorize the award of grants and
contracts to establish centers of excellence on autism spectrum
disorder and to collect, analyze and report State epidemiological data
on autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. It
would also provide culturally competent information on developmental
disabilities to increase awareness of developmental milestones, promote
disabilities research, encourage early screening and provide early
diagnosis and interventions for individuals diagnosed with such
disabilities.
A major theme of the bill is coordination and planning. This bill
would authorize a strategic plan to be developed and implemented to
guide Federal efforts in autism spectrum disorder research. It would
also authorize the designation of an interagency autism coordinating
committee to coordinate HHS efforts concerning autism spectrum
disorder, make recommendations concerning a strategic plan for autism,
develop and update advances in research, and make recommendations
regarding public participation in the various autism programs.
The Combating Autism Act of 2006 has bipartisan support, and it has
the support of numerous national, State and local autism-focused
stakeholder organizations, including Autism Now, Autism Speaks, Cure
Autism Now and the Autism Society of America.
The bill before us is an affirmative step toward addressing the
serious health issue of autism spectrum disorders and toward ensuring
all children are able to reach their full potential. I urge all of my
colleagues to join me, along with these stakeholder groups, in
supporting this potentially life-saving legislation.
I would also like to thank Representatives Bono and DeGette for all
their hard work and dedication that they have devoted to this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I insert in the Record at this time
two letters, one from the chairman of the Education and Workforce
Committee and the response from the chairman of the Energy and Commerce
Committee related to jurisdiction on this bill.
House of Representatives, Committee on Education and the
Workforce,
Washington, DC, December 6, 2006.
Hon. Joe Barton,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to confirm our mutual
understanding with respect to the consideration of S. 843,
the Combating Autism Act of 2006. As you are aware, `Sec.
399BB. Autism Education, Early Detection, And Intervention'
requires the Secretary of Education to collaborate with the
Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Service in
the provision of autism related services through the Head
Start Act, the Early Start Act, the Child Care Development
Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the
Child Nutrition Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. This
provision and these acts fall within the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Given the importance of moving this bill forward promptly,
I do not intend to object to its consideration in the House.
However, I do so only with the understanding that this
procedure should not be construed to prejudice my Committee's
jurisdictional interest and prerogative in S. 843 or any
other similar legislation and will not be considered as
precedent for consideration of matters of jurisdictional
interest to my Committee in the future.
Finally, I ask that you include a copy of our exchange of
letters in the Congressional Record during the consideration
of this bill. If you have questions regarding this matter,
please do not hesitate to call me. I thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Washington, DC, December 6, 2006.
Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McKeon: Thank you for your recent letter
regarding the consideration of S. 843, the Combating Autism
Act of 2006. I agree that provisions in `Sec. 399BB. Autism
Education, Early Detection, And Intervention' fall within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
I appreciate your willingness to allow this bill to move
forward today; and I agree that this procedure in no way
diminishes or alters the jurisdictional interest of the
Committee on Education and the Workforce. I will include your
letter and this response in the Congressional Record during
consideration of the bill on the House floor.
Sincerely,
Joe Barton,
Chairman.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Bono), who is the primary sponsor of this legislation.
Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from
Georgia for yielding me the time to speak on this most important piece
of legislation. I would also like to commend the members of our
leadership and thank them for allowing a vote on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Combating Autism
Act of 2006. This historic and monumental piece of legislation is a
critical first step towards addressing the unknown causes of autism by
providing record levels of research funding and support for other
services.
Today, one in 166 individuals is diagnosed with autism. This alarming
statistic proves that autism does not discriminate based on race or
gender.
As a longstanding supporter of the autism community, I have had the
opportunity to speak with many national organizations, individuals and
families who have been personally impacted by this disease. The
selfless service that is provided by parents, siblings, extended family
and other caregivers is unwavering and is unending.
While we have made significant strides since the identification of
the disease in 1943, the task that lies before us requires the support
of all involved parties and I am proud to have witnessed the
cooperation of many groups that span the autism community. They banded
together in an unprecedented manner, and their collective voice
resonated with the Congress.
On May 18, 2005, it was my privilege to introduce the House version
of this legislation. More than 240 of my colleagues joined
Representative DeGette and myself in support of autism research. Today,
I hope that they will join me in voicing their support of the Combating
Autism Act of 2006.
I would like to commend Chairman Joe Barton, who has been a steadfast
supporter of the autism community, and Senators Rick Santorum and
Christopher Dodd for their commitment and action to support the autism
community.
I would like to give special acknowledgement to former Congressman
Jim Greenwood of Pennsylvania, who throughout the process has remained
a tireless champion of this cause.
I would also like to thank the hardworking members of the House
Energy and Commerce Committee staff, Randy Pate and Ryan Long; of the
Senate HELP Committee, Shana Christrup and Erin Bishop; Jennifer Vesey
of Senator Santorum's office; Jim Fenton of Senator Dodd's staff; and
Jed Perry of
[[Page H8784]]
Congresswoman DeGette's office for their commitment on this piece of
legislation.
Finally, I would like to thank my personal staff, both past and
present, Katherine Martin and Taryn Nader, for their hard work and
tireless efforts on the Combating Autism Act of 2006.
As the 109th Congress comes to a close, we have an opportunity to
pass this meaningful and life-changing piece of legislation. I will
proudly cast my vote in support, and I urge my colleagues to do the
same.
Again, I thank the chairman.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).
(Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of the Combating Autism
Act. As a member of the Congressional Coalition for Autism Research and
Education, and as the uncle of a little boy with autism, I am well-
acquainted with the issues faced by families of children with this
disorder.
I have been struck by the rapid increase in the number of children
diagnosed with autism in the last decade, both nationally and in my
home State of Rhode Island, and while we do not yet know for certain
what causes autism, we do know that early intervention does make a
difference in treatment.
Mr. Speaker, we must commit ourselves to providing parents,
pediatricians, early childhood educators and all those who have contact
with very young children the resources and training to identify
children who need help early enough to begin effective interventions.
The Combating Autism Act is a tremendous step toward an effective
national policy of autism research, screening, intervention and
education.
Like all children, those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders are
individuals with unique talents and abilities. Across the Nation,
special education teachers, psychologists and others are working hard
to bring these gifts and talents to light and help these children
realize their potential.
I urge all of my colleagues to support these professionals in their
noble work, and these families in their time of need, by voting in
favor of the Combating Autism Act. It is the right thing to do. It's an
exciting piece of legislation, and I look forward to its passage.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, can I inquire of the remaining time
on our side?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) has 14
minutes remaining, and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) has
15 minutes remaining.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
(Mr. SMITH of New Jersey asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of S. 843, with the
amendment, the Combating Autism Act. This bill is great news for the
1.5 million individuals suffering from autism spectrum disorders and
their families, the many ASD advocacy groups who have been working hard
for so long, and also the very many Members of Congress who have
championed the cause of autism with the goal of providing meaningful
relief to those autistic individuals and their families.
I just point out, Mr. Speaker, that from my very first session of
Congress in 1981, I have been a consistent advocate for individuals who
have autism, and frankly, it was not until the mid-1990s when some
caseworker wrote in my own district about a family who had two children
with autism that I realized that we were not doing enough, that the
research, the best practices that are so important, the early
intervention was not happening.
It was at that time that we formed the Autism Caucus. Mike Doyle, who
is my friend and colleague on the other side of the aisle, and I formed
this caucus. We have about 200 members and we have been pushing very
hard to get money for NIH, as well as for the Centers for Disease
Control so we get better prevalence data, and also, most importantly,
how do we deal with this issue and how do we help these individuals.
Let me point out to my colleagues, when I first got elected, the
incidence or the common prevalence of autism was thought to be one out
of every 10,000. Now, because of the work that the CDC has done, we
know that it is probably around one out of every 166 individuals. We
have an epidemic on our hands.
This legislation which reauthorizes Title I of the Children's Health
Act, and has other very, very important additions to that, I think
takes us into a new era of helping the individuals who have been
afflicted by this disability, trying to find out what is the trigger.
There are many, many ideas out there as to what may be triggering this.
We need more definitive information about that, and again, I think this
legislation is good, bipartisan legislation, and it is an example of
what we can do here when we put our minds together and work across the
aisle and especially when we work with these many autism advocacy
groups that have been tremendous in helping to bring this legislation
to the floor.
So I urge strong support for it. I thank Chairman Barton for bringing
it up, even if it is late, but not too late. This legislation will make
a significant difference in the lives of autistic children, as well as
in the lives of their families.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 843, with an amendment,
the Combating Autism Act. This bill is great news for the 1.5 million
individuals suffering from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their
families, the many ASD advocacy groups who have been working hard for
so long, and also the very many Members of Congress who have championed
the cause of autism with the goal of providing meaningful relief to
those autistic individuals and their families.
From my first session in Congress in 1981, I have been a consistent
advocate for individuals with developmental disorders, including
autism. More recently, in 1998, I successfully requested the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct an investigation in
Brick Township, New Jersey after learning and listening to the
community's concerns about high numbers of autism cases--a study that
showed that cases of both classic autism and autism spectrum disorders
were significantly higher nationwide than expected.
The Combating Autism Act, that was introduced in the Senate by my
good friend Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and was unanimously passed by
the Senate, reauthorizes major components of Title I of the Children's
Health Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-310), and also adds significant new
provisions to broaden and strengthen activities related to autism.
Specifically, within its provisions, this legislation: requires the
Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand,
intensify, and coordinate ASD-related research and to conduct an NIH-
wide study of research centers of excellence, and reauthorizes
provisions, which I had authored in the Children's Health Act, to grant
HHS the authority to award grants for the collection, analysis, and
reporting of state-level epidemiological data on ASDs and other
developmental disabilities, as well as the authority to award grants
for the establishment of regional centers of excellence in autism
spectrum disorders epidemiology.
Importantly, the bill directs that NIH-funded research include
investigation of possible environmental causes of ASDs and that CDC-
funded epidemiological centers develop expertise in specialty areas,
including environmental exposures. I applaud this recognition of the
need to pursue research into environmental factors and epigenetics to
further advance and clarify the science. While not specifically
addressed in this bill and although some are fearful to even mention
the issue, I believe that we do not yet have the answers we need
regarding the biological effects of thimerosal, and I am hopeful that
research on environmental factors will include further study to find
those important answers.
The bill does much more, such as, facilitates the creation of state-
level agencies to serve as clearinghouses for public information;
reauthorizes the proven successful Interagency Autism Coordinating
Committee; and also includes a very robust section ``Autism Education,
Early Detection, and Intervention,'' to improve the early screening,
diagnosis, interventions, and treatments for ASDs.
As many as 1.5 million Americans today have some form of autism and
the number is on the rise. Each and every day across America, 66
children are diagnosed with autism and as many as 1 in 166 children
born today will eventually be diagnosed with autism. Just 10 years ago,
the estimate was 1 in 500.
A complex neurobiological disorder that generally appears in the
first 3 years of life,
[[Page H8785]]
autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and to relate to
others; the condition is often associated with rigid routines or
repetitive behaviors. About 40 percent of children with autism do not
talk, and others only repeat what is said to them. Children with autism
may experience a range of medical problems which can be very
debilitating. Because these patients have such extreme communication
problems, behavioral symptoms such as agitation, sleep difficulties,
and other behavioral problems may be attributed to the disability
rather than to the pain and discomfort of a medical condition.
Adolescents with autism may develop a strong sense of isolation,
socially and emotionally, and show signs of depression or increased
challenging behaviors.
Autism generally is a life-long disability; it also is a spectrum
disorder that affects each individual differently and at varying
degrees. Autism can overwhelm families, as their lives become consumed
with the considerable challenges of identifying appropriate biomedical
and psychosocial treatments, schooling and other needed support systems
for their autistic child and eventually for an autistic adult.
Our Nation is in the midst of an autism crisis that becomes more
severe each passing month, a crisis that costs our nation tens of
billions of dollars annually in medical care, behavioral therapy,
special child care, and a range of child and adult services needed to
care for these individuals. While we have significantly increased our
government's commitment to surveillance and biomedical research in the
last decade in an effort to find a cause or cure, it is incumbent upon
us to act now to reauthorize, intensify, and expand those and other
efforts to identify individuals with autism and to provide them with
more effective care and treatments.
Thanks to the incredible work of Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman
Joe Barton and his staff in finalizing this bill and getting it here
today to the floor of the House of Representatives, we have a
tremendous opportunity to join together in carrying it over the finish
line. I strongly encourage everyone of my colleagues to vote for this
bill.
Perhaps the greatest thanks should go to the very many individuals
and organizations in the ASD community who coalesced and advocated so
effectively for this bill. Some, but certainly not all, of those
organizations are: Autism One, Autism Society of America, Autism
Speaks, Cure Autism Now, Dan Marino Foundation, First Signs,
Organization for Autism Research, Southwest Autism Research & Resource
Center, TalkAutism, Unlocking Autism, and the US Autism and Asperger
Association. I know that there are numerous other organizations and
individuals who also deserve thanks and recognition.
I know that all of us here share the commitment to dramatically
improve the lives for the well over a million American children and
adults who have an autism spectrum disorder and improve the outlook for
their families and other loved ones. I humbly encourage you not to let
this opportunity pass without casting your vote in support of this much
needed and much desired legislation.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman
from New Jersey for yielding.
I rise in strong support of S. 843, the Combating Autism Act of 2006.
I also take this opportunity to commend and congratulate Mr. Tim Muri,
president and CEO of Easter Seals of Chicago, as well as the University
of Illinois Medical Center, and all of those who support this venture
which I am about to mention.
On October 30, 2006, Easter Seals, with the support of many in the
Chicagoland area, broke ground for a brand new therapeutic school and
center for autism research in the Illinois Medical Center District.
This bill, S. 843, will greatly enhance the work of this school and
other entities across the country.
So I simply support not only the development of this brand new school
but certainly the legislation which is going to enhance the work of
those combating autism across the country.
I thank the gentleman again for yielding.
{time} 1245
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to
the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Pickering).
Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise in proud support of this
legislation. I want to thank you and your leadership; I want to thank
Congressman Pallone, Congresswomen DeGette and Bono, all of the
coalitions that have been great advocates for helping increase the
research, the funding, the exploration, and the discovery of what we
know today about autism. I want to thank my friend Rick Santorum and
commend him for his dogged support and championing of this effort. And,
I want to talk a little bit about today what we know about autism, how
pervasive it is, how many children it affects, and what it means for us
as a Nation and for our families.
One in 166 children is diagnosed with autism. For boys, and I am the
father of five sons, one in 104 boys is on the autism spectrum; 67
children per day are diagnosed. A new case is diagnosed almost every 20
minutes. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than
with AIDS, diabetes, or cancer combined. It is the fastest growing
serious developmental disability in the U.S. and it costs our Nation
over $90 billion per year and it is a figure expected to double over
the next decade. Yet, autism receives less than 5 percent of the
research funding available when it is one of the most prevalent
diseases spreading across our country.
But the good news is we are learning, we are discovering, we are
understanding much better today. We are much better able to detect,
understand, identify. It is much more possible to have early
intervention and the therapies and the types of treatments that help
young children maximize the gifts and the talents that they have.
I want to say as someone who has met with many of the families, and
all of our families have children that have been affected by this, I
want to say it is not only a disability but it is also a gift. And it
really is. For those of us who know and who have personal involvement,
there are special angels among us with great tremendous gifts that come
from autism. And what we want to do, what I want to do is to make sure
that these gifts, these abilities that are special, unique, distinct,
wonderful opportunities, to really maximize the things that children
with autism can bring to all of us. And with this legislation today, I
believe that we will maximize the understanding, we will maximize the
gifts of our children who have autism, and we will make sure that their
gifts are shared with the rest of the Nation and their contributions in
science and math and reading and all the different areas where they may
have gifts but also great struggles, that we can overcome those, that
we can meet this challenge, and that the understanding of this disease
and the treatments that are made available because of this legislation
will make a difference in the lives of countless families and countless
children. So I rise today in proud support.
I want to thank all of those who made it possible and the Members who
have worked. Chris Smith and the Autism Caucus deserve special praise
for raising the awareness and building the coalitions within Congress
and organizing the outside groups to make this day possible. I am proud
that before we leave this Congress, we do not leave this job undone.
And I thank Chairman Deal for all of his hard work in making this
possible, and Chairman Barton, the ranking members, and all those who
worked, especially our staff. May God bless this effort, and thank you
very much.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would again urge that we pass this very
important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as we close, I would simply
reiterate what some others have said, thanking all of those within the
Congress itself who have brought this bill to this point and hopefully
to a finalization and sent to the President.
Autism is an affliction on our children, and there are many answers
that people want and this will help us try to find those answers. But
this is not the end of the journey. Those who are committed to this
cause will continue their efforts here in the halls of Congress,
hopefully in the research halls throughout our country. This is a
worthwhile step in the very proper direction, and I would urge my
colleagues to adopt this resolution.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the
Combating Autism Act of 2006--S. 843--as amended. I want to thank
Chairman Nathan Deal and Chairman Joe Barton, and the Energy and
Commerce Committee staff, for bringing this bill to the floor today.
Over the last 5 years or more, many of you have heard me speak many
times on this floor
[[Page H8786]]
about the subject of autism and you will likely continue to hear me
speak on this issue because I believe we truly have our work cut out
for us. About 20 years ago, autism was considered a rare disease,
affecting about 1 in 10,000 children. Now, that rate is about 1 in 166;
making autism the third most common developmental disability that
children face, even more prevalent than things such as Down's syndrome
and other childhood cancers. In my own home State of Indiana we
experienced a 923 percent cumulative growth rate for autism from 1992
to 2003. The annual growth rate of autism in Indiana averaged 27
percent compared to an average of 7 percent for the growth rate of all
disabilities.
This literal epidemic of autism is a looming and immediate economic
crisis to our education system, our health care systems, our long-term
housing and care system for the disabled, and most especially, to an
ever-increasing number of families across the country. Autism is a
condition that has no known cure, which means that this is a crisis
that is simply not going to ``go away.''
Today we take a huge step forward in terms of dealing with this
problem. Although in my opinion, only a down payment on the resources
that we must invest in order to defeat this terrible scourge, the
Combating Autism Act, commits nearly $1 billion--in essence almost a
doubling of funding for autism--to autism research, including essential
research on environmental factors, treatments, early identification and
support services. This bill amounts to a long overdue and vitally
needed declaration of war by the Congress of the United States on
autism.
Even so, while a needed step forward, this is not a perfect bill,
because I believe we are missing a crucial opportunity to use this bill
to help unravel the mystery of autism. Specifically, while the bill
before us does include language on the need to research the
environmental factors which may contribute to autism, it does not
include a specific mandate that environmental research topics must
include vaccines, other biologics, and their preservatives. Now I am
not against vaccinations, but I do believe, as do many of my
colleagues, that there is a strong link between the mercury contained
in a product called thimerosal--commonly used as a vaccine
preservative--and children developing neurological disorders such as
autism. In fact, my own grandson became autistic after receiving nine
shots in 1 day, seven of which contained thimerosal.
Because of what happened to my grandson, I took it upon myself to
learn about autism and what I discovered during my research was deeply
disturbing. During my tenure as chairman of the Government Reform
Committee, 1997-2002, and as chairman of the Subcommittee on Human
Rights and Wellness, 2003-2005, a number of very credible national and
international scientists testified at a series of hearings that the
mercury in vaccines is a contributing factor to developing neurological
disorders, including, but not limited to, modest declines in
intelligence quotient, IQ, autism, and Alzheimer's disease. And the
body of evidence to support that conclusion gets larger every day.
Yet we continue to hear repeatedly in congressional hearings, in
media communications, and through government and scientific reports
that ``there is no evidence that proves a connection between vaccines
and autism.'' This conclusion is not too surprising when you consider
that our health agencies seem to routinely dismiss out of hand any
scientific study that does conclude thimerosal is a danger.
Experience tells us that, as with any other epidemic, while there may
be underlying genetic susceptibilities, there usually is some type of
environmental trigger as well, such as a virus, fungus, heavy metals,
pollutants, or whatever. There has never, to the best of my knowledge,
been a purely genetic epidemic. So, genetics alone cannot explain how
we went from 1 in 10,000 children with autism spectrum disorders 20
years ago to 1 in 166 today. Considering that mercury is a base element
and the most toxic substance known to science outside of radioactive
materials, it is biologically plausible that mercury is an
environmental trigger of autism.
Recent studies indicate that more than half of pediatricians said
that in the previous year they had encountered at least one family that
refused all vaccines, while 85 percent said they'd had a parent turn
down at least one shot. Whether it's because of fear that mercury used
as a preservative in childhood vaccines causes autism, or that the
dangers of immunizations far outweigh their benefits, or that there is
a conspiracy by drug companies, doctors and vaccine makers to conceal
the harm, the facts are clear, more and more American families are
fighting immunization.
It is imperative that we do all we can to restore the public's trust
in vaccinations. And the only way we are going to resolve the conflict
of opinion over thimerosal is through more research. Unfortunately, if
the Department of Health and Human Services never funds or conducts the
right studies, and given their current track record on the subject,
that is very likely what will happen, this question will forever remain
unanswered. That will be a national tragedy because often once an
environmental cause is discovered, immediate steps can be taken to
prevent new cases and abate the epidemic. In addition, knowledge of the
environmental cause or triggers often leads directly to more effective
treatments.
For example, this bill promotes the use of evidence-based
interventions for those at higher risk for autism. However, so long as
we ignore the potential danger of mercury, many biomedical
interventions, such as restricted diet, applied kinesiology and/or
chelation therapy--which many families have found to be the best
treatments for their children with autism--will be excluded from the
list of evidence-based treatments.
I stand here today not just as a concerned grandfather of an autistic
child but as the voice for the hundreds of parents and families who
continue to contact my office looking for help for their children. They
are our constituents, we represent them in the People's House, and I
hope we are all listening to them. The debate about mercury in vaccines
must be addressed, investigated and resolved. Parents have a right to
know what happened to their children regardless of where the truth
lies. And we have a responsibility to those children and families
already suffering. In the meantime, we should err on the side of
caution and remove thimerosal, even trace amounts, from all
vaccinations.
By failing to provide a clear congressional mandate to research all
of the potential environmental causes of autism spectrum disorders,
ASD, including vaccines and their preservatives, I believe we are
handicapping our efforts to give all ASD patients the best possible
quality of life and the ability to make the greatest possible
contributions to society. I hope that in the coming weeks, months and
years this Congress will push for further research into the question of
thimerosal and autism so that one day we will be able to say that we
have done everything possible to stop and treat this epidemic. In the
meantime, I urge my colleagues to support this very good bill.
Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 843, the Combating
Autism Act. As a member of the congressional Coalition on Autism
Research and Education CARE, as well as a cosponsor of the companion
bill, H.R. 2421, I strongly support the provisions of the bill. This
important legislation will improve the lives of those affected by
expanding and improving detection, care and treatment of autism
spectrum disorders.
The establishment of centers of excellence for autism research will
enable us to conduct cutting edge research and apply it in the most
effective manner possible to treat our young citizens affected by
autism in the best way we can.
I want to give a special thanks to the many parents, siblings,
families and friends of those with autism, especially my constituents
in the Second District of Nebraska. Your support of autism issues, and
specifically this legislation, has been crucial to the advancement of
this bill. I congratulate you and other advocates for your tireless
work. I urge my colleagues to support the enactment of S. 843.
Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the
bill, S. 843, as amended, also known as the Combating Autism Act. This
legislation takes several important steps intended to improve and
intensify the Federal response to the problem of autism in the United
States.
As many of my colleagues are aware, autism is a brain disorder that
appears in childhood and persists throughout a person's life. Autism
affects crucial areas of a person's development, including
communication, social interaction, and creativity. Recent studies
estimate that autism afflicts more than 3 of every 1,000 children
between ages 3 and 10. While autism varies widely in its symptoms and
severity, early diagnosis and treatment can help autistic people to
live independent and productive lives.
Today, little is understood about the causes and mechanisms of
autism. Many studies have been conducted into possible genetic and
environmental causes of autism, and scientists are learning more about
this disorder and how its effects can be lessened or eliminated. But
there is no cure, and much more work needs to be done to pinpoint the
true causes of autism before we'll know how to cure it.
This legislation contains provisions designed to intensify and
coordinate the Federal response to autism. It instructs the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention to expand and update its efforts to
monitor autism incidence and prevalence around the country. The
legislation also requires the CDC to educate parents and health care
providers about the early warning signs of autism as well as the need
for early and regular screenings.
Another section of the bill addresses autism research conducted at
the National Institutes
[[Page H8787]]
of Health. Building on provisions contained in the Children's Health
Act of 2000, the bill requires the Director of NIH to expand and
intensify autism-related research, including research into possible
environmental causes of autism. The expansion and intensification will
include research to be conducted at the National Institute of Mental
Health, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and a
number of other institutes at NIH. The National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences already has two centers, one located at
the University of California at Davis and one at the Robert Wood
Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, funded to study possible
environmental causes of autism. In conjunction with the bill's
authorizations of appropriations, these provisions will ensure the
continuation and intensification of crucial research at NIEHS so that
it is able to conduct all necessary research to determine the
environmental factors in autism.
With respect to possible environmental or external causes of autism,
some have suggested a link exists between autism and childhood
vaccines. In the past several years, several major epidemiological
studies have been conducted to look into the question of whether
vaccines cause autism. Examining the published studies, the non-
partisan Institute of Medicine has concluded that the weight of the
available evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between
vaccines and autism. However, I recognize that there is much that we do
not know about the biological pathways and origins of this disorder,
and that further investigation into all possible causes of autism is
needed.
This legislation is not designed to predetermine the outcome of
scientific research. Rather, the legislation rightfully calls for
renewed efforts to study all possible causes of autism--including
vaccines and other environmental causes. Simply put, we should leave no
stone unturned in our efforts to find a cure, whether it means
exploring possible environmental factors, paternal age, genetic
factors, or any other factors that may hold answers. Perhaps further
inquiry will show that it is not a single factor but a combination of
two or more factors that cause what we know as autism. For example, a
child might have a genetic predisposition that is triggered by an
external, environmental factor that causes autism. The important thing
to understand is that there are no preconceived notions contained in
this bill; the bill language is clear that we should follow every
avenue that science opens to us in searching for a cure.
During the House consideration of the NIH reauthorization bill, we
found that the NIH has created centers of excellence to promote
collaborative research into a particular field. A center of excellence
is a designated entity, such as a university or a hospital, that
receives NIH funding to study a particular research area. At their
best, centers of excellence can foster collaboration and communication
between scientists in a concentrated research area that can benefit
from such an environment. However, the proliferation of centers of
excellence, especially congressionally mandated centers of excellence,
is a concern because it diverts precious resources away from other
promising avenues of research that may be worthwhile. If Congress were
to mandate new centers of excellence without sound scientific
justification, it could greatly fragment NIH's research budget,
increase administrative and overhead costs, and slow down important
medical and scientific breakthroughs. The right funding and the right
minds will cure autism, but even staggering amounts of money won't do
the job if our efforts are not focused on the most promising research.
I think, it is important to let scientists decide how to conduct the
medical research. They must be held accountable, too, but this is a job
for science, not politics.
The amended bill before us today does not create new centers, nor
does it remove any of the old ones. There were five autism-related
centers of excellence mandated in the Children's Health Act of 2000. In
the intervening years, NIH created the five statutorily required
centers of excellence that study various aspects of autism. NIH then
went on to create an estimated 21 to 28 centers of excellence dealing
with various aspects of autism research, including research into
possible environmental causes. Rather than mandating in statute the
creation of a specified number of additional centers on top of those
centers already in existence, this bill lays the groundwork for
effective congressional oversight of centers of excellence. It requires
the Director of NIH to submit a report to Congress detailing the
effectiveness of centers of excellence across the NIH and how they can
be improved. The bill also gives the Director of NIH the explicit
authority to consolidate centers of excellence if it would lead to
improved program efficiencies and outcomes.
Next, the amended bill expands and reauthorizes an existing
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, or IACC. The coordinating
committee will be made up of relevant government officials, experts,
and parents and families of those suffering from autism. The
committee's far-reaching mandate will be to compose and annually report
to Congress on a strategic plan for Federal autism activities and to
make important recommendations to both Congress and the executive
branch on ways to better coordinate and conduct Federal autism-related
activities. Further, this legislation increases the amount of public
participation on the IACC from two individuals to at least six. In
addition, the IACC has been tasked with making recommendations to the
Secretary regarding the public participation in decisions relating to
autism. For instance, the committee notes that the IACC may recommend
providing other formal mechanisms, such as an Autism Advisory Board, to
provide public feedback and interaction. Further, the Secretary may opt
to provide such a mechanism under existing statutory authority, without
the recommendation of the IACC. Public participation, especially among
the parents and families of those affected by autism, is necessary to
emphasize the human side of autism research and to ensure that Federal
resources are used wisely.
This legislation takes several important steps forward in continuing
the fight against autism, and I support its passage. Should the Senate
also take up and pass the bipartisan NIH reauthorization bill
overwhelmingly passed by the House earlier this year, Congress and the
public will benefit from increased transparency and accountability at
NIH that will benefit research into all diseases, including autism. I
urge swift passage of both bills so we can get them to the President's
desk before the end of this Congress.
At this time, I'd like to thank the sponsors of both the House and
Senate bills who have worked tirelessly on this issue as well as the
members of the autism advocacy community who have contributed
constructive ideas and insights into this legislation. With that Mr.
Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.
843, the Combating Autism Act of 2006. This bill would amend the Public
Health Service Act to combat autism through research, screening,
intervention and education.
I have been greatly concerned by the significant increase in autism
rates in our country. As a member of the House Coalition for Autism
Research and Education Caucus, I have tried to take an active roll in
improving the government's response to this epidemic. I am pleased we
are considering this legislation today.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) places a terrible burden on the
families of those afflicted. Autism is growing at a rate of 10-17
percent each year, and we must take action before it becomes even more
of a health crisis. The earlier we identify autism, the more options we
have to help a child.
The Combating Autism Act of 2006 would authorize $405 million in
funding for autism research the National Institutes of Health over five
years, and would require the director of NIH to develop and implement a
plan for autism research by April 1, 2008. Passage of S. 843 would give
$185 million to Autism Centers of Excellence, which provide continued
support to examine causation, diagnosis, early detection, prevention,
control, intervention and a cure for autism. The bill would also
authorize $15 million for fiscal 2007 for the Centers for Disease
Control and their surveillance and research programs.
Combating autism is imperative because it affects one in 166 children
and persists through adulthood. By learning the signs, a child can
begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention
programs. We must provide Federal funding to ensure that research,
education and prevention are possible.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I hope that all Americans can continue to
unite to form a collective voice for the autism community. I ask that
my colleagues join me supporting S. 843, the Combating Autism Act of
2006.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 843, the
Combating Autism Act of 2006. This bill authorizes funding important
for the continuation of research of pervasive development disabilities,
the coordination and dissemination of the research findings from
institutions throughout the country, and the promotion of early
screening of pervasive development disabilities among high-risk
children. This bill goes far towards making the combating of autism a
national priority. This bill, notably, includes provisions that
recognize the importance of providing culturally competent information
to individuals and communities. These provisions are important to
minority communities.
Pervasive development disabilities are indiscriminate, afflicting
children of all socioeconomic backgrounds and all races. My district,
Guam, alone is home to approximately 110 individuals with autism
spectrum disorders. According to the Centers for Disease
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Control and Prevention, one out of every 166 children may be affected
by some form of autism spectrum disorder.
While there remains varying viewpoints over the causes of autism,
research has shown that early diagnosis and intervention have been the
most effective means of addressing pervasive development disabilities.
The Combating Autism Act's multifaceted approach to this important
issue allows for the funding of research, public education, and early
detection efforts. This multi-faceted approach will assist the families
and children who are afflicted with autism spectrum disorders today,
while striving to continue the progress toward finding comprehensive
treatments for autism spectrum disorders.
I commend my colleagues in the House of Representatives and in the
Senate for moving this important legislation forward. It is my hope
that this legislation will ease the emotional and psychological
pressures experienced by families caring for individuals with autism;
and that it will eventually bring about greater understanding of and
improved treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
I urge my colleagues' support for S. 843.
Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 843, the
Combating Autism Act of 2006.
As a long-time supporter and friend of the autism community, I am
pleased that this bipartisan legislation is before the full House
today. Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder that usually strikes
sometime within the first two years of a child's life. It can cause
severe impairment in language, cognition and communication. The
statistics on autism are staggering. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 166 children is affected
by autism. Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental
disabilities in the United States.
There has been significant progress in recent years increasing autism
research dollars at the National Institutes of Health, as well as
surveillance and public health funding at the CDC. Current research
indicates that autism has a strong genetic component and may be
triggered by environmental factors. But much more needs to be done. We
need to redouble our effort to find a cure and improved intervention
techniques. That is why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the House
version of the Combating Autism Act. The legislation before us today
would authorize increased funding at the NIH for autism research
programs as well as expand screening, intervention and education
programs within the Federal Government.
It is important that we promote funding for autism research in order
to identify the best methods of early intervention and treatment. That
is why I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 843, the
Combating Autism Act, which would authorize nearly $1 billion over the
next 5 years to combat autism.
This is an important authorization bill, but one that we must back up
with funding during the appropriations process.
Autism is serious and Congress must get serious in addressing it.
This bill is a first step on that path.
According to the Department of Education this disease is growing at
an alarming rate of 10-17 percent each year. Autism afflicts 1 out of
every 166 births in the country, meaning today, 1.5 million Americans
are living with this disease, and these numbers are growing
particularly in places like New York City.
Autism has been personalized for me through a number of my
constituents, including one father and his little boy who I have had
the opportunity to meet with and discuss this illness.
The boy's father, who I have gotten to know, has helped educate me on
this issue. It was his discussions with me that helped me become more
involved in the issue of autism, spurred me to join the Autism Caucus
here in the House and fight for increased funds both at the Defense
Department and CDC for more funds for research and care.
Additionally, the Quality Services for the Autism Community, or QSAC,
has also continually done outreach and education throughout Queens and
all of New York City, including hosting an annual Autism Awareness Day.
This year's event was held on April 9 at Shea Stadium, home of the
Mets, in my district, and was their fourth consecutive annual event.
These events and their members bring more attention to a disease that
affects so many individuals and families and today has helped us craft
a good bill from their words and experiences.
This legislation will authorize nearly $1 billion over the next 5
years to combat autism through research, early intervention, and
screening, and will translate into a 50 percent increase in funding to
help eliminate this disease.
With this bill many families in my own district, Bronx and Queens,
will be able to rest assured that the U.S. Government has not forgotten
them and is willing to work to eradicate this problem.
Scientists are finding preventative measures, and cures for many
diseases such as cervical cancer. This would not have been possible
without the funding giving to researchers to find a cure.
That is why I stand with the autism community not only in my
district, Bronx and Queens, but all across the Nation in supporting
this legislation. It is non-controversial, and it makes perfect sense
to find a cure.
I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill today so families in the
future won't have to suffer with autism.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the Senate bill, S. 843, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds of those voting having
responded in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the Senate
bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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