[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H1859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMENDING STATE OFFICIALS ON SIGNING THE ABLE ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend 
lawmakers in Pennsylvania's House and Senate for their work on passing 
the Commonwealth's new ABLE, or Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, 
which was signed into law by the Pennsylvania Governor on Monday.
  The measure's passage at the State level follows the signing of a 
2014 Federal law, also known as the ABLE Act. I was happy to cosponsor 
that legislation along with a majority of my colleagues here in the 
House of Representatives. The law empowers people with disabilities and 
their families to create flexible accounts to help save for medical and 
dental care, education, community-based support, employment training, 
housing, and transportation.
  The State law passed easily in the Pennsylvania House and Senate last 
week, clearing the way for the State to administer the new accounts 
created by the Federal law.
  The State eliminates a $2,000 cap on cash assets for medical 
assistance for those with certain intellectual and developmental 
disabilities, which acted as a financial roadblock preventing 
individuals from reaching their full potential.
  Mr. Speaker, thanks to this new law, parents of children with 
developmental and intellectual disabilities will be able to save up to 
$100,000, with no impact on eligibility for medical assistance.
  Last week here in Washington, I joined the National Down Syndrome 
Society, where I was proud to be presented with their Champion of 
Change Award. I also had the chance to connect with people from 
Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District, including Alek Masters. 
Alek is a wonderful young man who, despite living with Down syndrome, 
is an Eagle Scout, the highest honor earned by the members of the Boy 
Scouts of America.
  I also was with Isabel Ross, a toddler from Centre County who 
attended the event with her parents, Steve and Raquel.
  There are so many people such as Alek and Isabel across the 
Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District, the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, and our great Nation. Alek is already making a difference 
in his community, and this new law ensures that he and Isabel, along 
with the help of their parents, can work towards achieving their goals.
  I know that the ABLE Act, on both the State and the Federal level, 
will play a role in improving the lives of those who are living with 
developmental and intellectual disabilities. I firmly believe that our 
communities will be much better because of it.

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