[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5297-H5300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTISM COLLABORATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT
ACT OF 2024
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 7213) to amend the Public Health Service Act to
[enhance activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect
to research on autism spectrum disorder and enhance programs relating
to autism/reauthorize certain programs with respect to autism spectrum
disorder?], and for other purposes, as amended.
=========================== NOTE ===========================
On September 17, 2024, page H5297, in the second column, the
following appeared: Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I
move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7213) to amend
the Public Health Service Act to enhance and reauthorize
activities and programs relating to autism spectrum disorder, and
for other purposes, as amended.
The online version has been corrected to read: Mrs. RODGERS of
Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7213) to amend the Public Health Service Act to
[enhance activities of the National Institutes of Health with
respect to research on autism spectrum disorder and enhance
programs relating to autism/reauthorize certain programs with
respect to autism spectrum disorder?], and for other purposes, as
amended.
========================= END NOTE =========================
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7213
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 ``Autism Collaboration,
Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of
2024'' or the ``Autism CARES Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ACTIVITIES.
(a) Expansion of Activities.--Section 409C(a)(1) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``) shall, subject to the availability''
and inserting the following: ``), in consultation with
relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate,
shall--
``(A) subject to the availability'';
(2) by striking ``basic and clinical research in fields
including pathology'' and inserting the following: ``basic
and clinical research--
``(i) in fields, such as pathology'';
(3) by striking ``toxicology, and interventions'' and
inserting the following: ``toxicology, psychiatry,
psychology, developmental behavioral pediatrics, audiology,
and gerontology; and
``(ii) on interventions'';
(4) by striking ``disorder. Such research shall
investigate'' and inserting the following: ``disorder; and
``(B) ensure that research referred to in subparagraph
(A)--
``(i) investigates'';
(5) by striking ``prevention, services across the lifespan,
supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum
disorder'' and inserting ``prevention, services and supports
across the lifespan, intervention, and treatment of autism
spectrum disorder and co-occurring conditions''; and
(6) by striking ``treatments.'' and inserting the
following: ``treatments;
``(ii) examines supports for caregivers; and
``(iii) reflects the entire population of individuals with
autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with
co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for
supports and services, including such supports and services
to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such
individuals.''.
(b) Centers of Excellence.--Section 409C(b) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``including the fields of'' and inserting
``in fields such as''; and
(B) by striking ``behavioral psychology, and clinical
psychology'' and inserting ``behavioral psychology, clinical
psychology, and gerontology'';
(2) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``five'' and inserting
``seven''; and
(3) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ``period of not to
exceed'' and inserting ``period not to exceed''.
(c) Public Input.--Section 409C(d) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(d)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(d) Public Input.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall under subsection
(a)(1) provide for means through which the public can obtain
information on the existing and planned programs and
activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect
to autism spectrum disorder and through which the Director
can receive comments from the public regarding such programs
and activities.
``(2) Guidance.--The Director may provide guidance to
centers under subsection (b)(1) on strategies, activities,
and opportunities to promote engagement with, and solicit
input from, individuals with autism spectrum disorder and
their family members, guardians, advocates or authorized
representatives, providers, or other appropriate individuals
to inform the activities of the center. Such strategies,
activities, and opportunities should consider including, as
appropriate, individuals, family members, and caregivers of
individuals with autism spectrum disorder who represent the
entire population of individuals with autism spectrum
disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring
conditions and the full range of needs for supports and
services, including such supports and services to ensure the
safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals, to
inform the activities of the center.''.
(d) Budget Estimate.--Section 409C of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(e) Budget Estimate.--For each of fiscal years 2026
through 2029, the Director shall prepare and submit, directly
to the President for review and transmittal to Congress, an
annual budget estimate for the initiatives of the National
Institutes of Health pursuant to the strategic plan developed
under section 399CC(b)(5) and updated under section
399CC(b)(6)(B), after reasonable opportunity for comment (but
without change) by the Secretary and the Interagency Autism
Coordinating Committee established under section 399CC.''.
SEC. 3. PROGRAMS RELATING TO AUTISM.
(a) Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research
Program.--Section 399AA of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 280i) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``an Indian tribe, or
a tribal organization'' and inserting ``an Indian Tribe, or a
Tribal organization'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``across the
lifespan'' before the period at the end;
(3) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``tribe; tribal''
and inserting ``Tribe; tribal'';
(B) by striking ``tribe'' and inserting ``Tribe''; and
(C) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal''; and
(4) in subsection (e), by striking ``2024'' and inserting
``2029''.
(b) Autism Education, Early Detection, and Intervention.--
Section 399BB of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280i-1) is amended--
[[Page H5298]]
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``culturally
competent information'' and inserting ``culturally and
linguistically appropriate information'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking ``promote research'' and inserting
``promote research, which may include research that takes a
community-based approach,''; and
(B) by striking ``screening tools'' each place it appears
and inserting ``screening and diagnostic tools'';
(3) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``at higher risk''
and inserting ``at increased likelihood'';
(4) in subsection (b)(4), by inserting ``, which may give
consideration to the perspectives of parents and guardians''
before the semicolon at the end;
(5) in subsection (b)(7), by striking ``at higher risk''
and inserting ``at increased likelihood'';
(6) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``culturally
competent information'' and inserting ``culturally and
linguistically appropriate information'';
(7) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii), by striking ``culturally
competent information'' and inserting ``culturally and
linguistically appropriate information'';
(8) by amending paragraph (1) of subsection (e) to read as
follows:
(9) in subsection (e)(1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``, and strengthen the capacity of,'' after ``expand''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``expand existing or develop new'' and
inserting ``expand and strengthen the capacity of existing,
or, in States that do not have such a program, develop
new,''; and
(ii) by striking ``Act) in States that do not have such a
program'' and inserting ``Act)'';
(C) in subparagraph (B)(v), by inserting ``or other
providers, as applicable'' before the semicolon at the end;
and
(D) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:
``(C) program sites--
``(i) provide culturally and linguistically appropriate
services;
``(ii) take a multidisciplinary approach and have
experience working with underserved populations; and
``(iii) identify opportunities to partner with community-
based organizations to expand the capacity of communities to
serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities.'';
(10) in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report that
examines the need for, and feasibility of, expanding the
developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs
described in subparagraph (A).'';
(11) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
``(f) Intervention.--The Secretary shall promote research
through grants or contracts, which may include grants or
contracts to research centers or networks, to--
``(1) develop and evaluate evidence-based practices and
interventions to improve outcomes for individuals with autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities by
addressing physical and behavioral health and communication
needs of such individuals across the lifespan;
``(2) develop guidelines for such evidence-based practices
and interventions; and
``(3) disseminate information related to such evidence-
based practices and interventions and guidelines.''; and
(12) in subsection (g), by striking ``2024'' and inserting
``2029''.
(c) Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.--Section
399CC of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-2) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``,
on a regular basis'' after ``shall'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``develop a summary'' and
inserting ``summarize''; and
(C) by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting the
following:
``(5) develop a strategic plan for the conduct of, and
support for, autism spectrum disorder research, as described
in section 409C(a)(1), which shall include--
``(A) proposed budgetary requirements; and
``(B) recommendations to ensure that autism spectrum
disorder research, and services and support activities to the
extent practicable, of the Department of Health and Human
Services and of other Federal departments and agencies are
not unnecessarily duplicative; and
``(6) submit to the Congress and the President--
``(A) an annual update on the summary of advances described
in paragraph (2); and
``(B) a biennial update on the strategic plan described in
paragraph (5), including progress made in achieving the goals
outlined in such strategic plan and any specific measures
taken pursuant to such strategic plan.''; and
(2) in subsection (f), by striking ``2024'' and inserting
``2029''.
(d) Reports to Congress.--Section 399DD of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-3) is amended--
(1) by striking ``2019'' each place it appears and
inserting ``2024''; and
(2) in subsection (a), by amending paragraph (1) to read as
follows:
``(1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after September
30, 2024, the Secretary, in consultation with other relevant
Federal departments and agencies, shall prepare and submit to
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives, and make publicly available,
including through posting on the website of the Department of
Health and Human Services, a progress report on activities
related to autism spectrum disorder and other developmental
disabilities. Such report shall include activities and
research related to the entire population of individuals with
autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with
co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for
supports and services, including such supports and services
to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such
individuals.'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the heading of subsection (b), by striking ``HEalth
and Well-Being'' and inserting ``Mental Health Needs'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``health and well-being''
and inserting ``mental health needs''; and
(C) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall contain--
``(A) an overview of policies and programs relevant to the
mental health of individuals with autism spectrum disorder
across their lifespan, including an identification of
existing Federal laws, regulations, policies, research, and
programs; and
``(B) recommendations to improve mental health outcomes and
address related disparities in mental health care for
individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including
prevention, care coordination, and community-based
services.'';
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Update on Young Adults and Youth Transitioning to
Adulthood.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary, in
coordination with other relevant Federal departments and
agencies, as appropriate, shall prepare and submit to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate an update to the report
required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, as added
by section 6 of the Autism Cares Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-
157), and in effect before the date of enactment of the
Autism CARES Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-60), concerning
young adults with autism spectrum disorder and the challenges
related to the transition from existing school-based services
to those services available during adulthood.''.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 399EE of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-4) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``$23,100,000 for each
of fiscal years 2020 through 2024'' and inserting
``$28,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$50,599,000 for each
of fiscal years 2020 through 2024'' and inserting
``$56,344,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029'';
and
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``there are authorized
to be appropriated $296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020
through 2024'' and inserting ``there is authorized to be
appropriated $306,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025
through 2029''.
SEC. 4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO
COMMUNICATION TOOLS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') may, at
the request of a State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization,
locality, or territory, provide training and technical
assistance to such jurisdiction on the manner in which
Federal funding administered by the Secretary may be used to
provide individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities with access to evidence-based
services, tools, and technologies that support communication
needs.
(b) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall annually prepare
and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives a report summarizing
any technical assistance provided by the Secretary in the
preceding fiscal year under subsection (a) and any
advancements in the development or evaluation of such
evidence-based services, tools, and technologies.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Washington (Mrs. Rodgers) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Pallone) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
General Leave
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the
bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Washington?
[[Page H5299]]
There was no objection.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7213, the Autism
Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act, or
the Autism CARES Act of 2024, led by Congressman Chris Smith.
First, I am grateful for all the work that has been done and the
tremendous leadership of Representative Smith. He has been a fierce
advocate and a leader on these issues for decades.
Autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States
with recent studies showing an increasing prevalence nationwide.
Research has also shown that early intervention and therapies often
lead to positive outcomes later on in life for individuals with autism.
The Autism CARES Act of 2024 will reauthorize critical programs and
activities and support autism research, services, training, and
monitoring across the Federal Government.
Importantly, it also takes steps to ensure the public and all
individuals within the autism community have an opportunity to engage
in and are included in the research process and other activities
related to autism spectrum disorder.
I appreciate the passionate engagement and support from stakeholders
throughout this process, and I am really grateful that we are
considering this bill on the floor tonight before the program's
September 30 expiration.
I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7213, the bicameral,
bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act, which is sponsored
by my colleague from New Jersey, Chris Smith.
The Autism CARES Act, formerly known as the Combating Autism Act, is
the primary source of Federal funding for autism research services,
training, and monitoring.
Since 2006, this law has paved the way for incredible scientific
developments. Research funded by the law has advanced diagnosis in
young children 18 to 24 months of age and has helped identify timely
interventions to make a lifetime difference in the care and treatment
of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Another significant example of the act's success is the Leadership
Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities, or LEND
program.
This program has trained nearly 22,000 interdisciplinary health
professionals in autism screening and identification benchmarks to
improve diagnosis and care.
These programs collectively provide diagnostic services to confirm or
rule out autism or developmental disabilities to over 115,000 children.
In my home State of New Jersey, the prevalence of autism remains
alarmingly high as the incidence of autism continues to grow
nationally.
We are fortunate to have Rutgers University as the home of New
Jersey's Autism Center for Excellence, leading the way on several
important issues to the New Jersey autism community, including
highlighting disparities in getting diagnosed, providing service
programs to adults with autism spectrum disorder, and improving the
lives of people who are living with this disorder. Progress has been
made, but our work is far from over. We must continue supporting
children, families, and caregivers throughout their lives.
I am pleased that through our bicameral, bipartisan negotiations, we
are able to increase the number of NIH Centers of Excellence from five
to seven.
We were also able to come to agreement on requiring more updated
reporting for the Department of Health and Human Services on mental
health needs among autism patients.
This will help provide better research and support for children
transitioning to adulthood with autism and providing a technical
assistance center to ensure evidence-based communication tools are
available to patients with speech pathology or audiological challenges.
Now, I must say that I am disappointed that the current Speaker's
protocol prevents us from providing the robust funding necessary to
meet the implementing agency's projections for this law's 5-year
reauthorization period. I feel the bicameral, bipartisan compromise
before us is a strong product, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the prime sponsor and the
champion of the legislation.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for her
leadership on this important issue and so many other health issues that
is making all the difference in the world.
This bill would not be on the floor today without her leadership. I
thank Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers so very, very much for that
leadership. I thank my good friend, Frank Pallone, for his strong
support as well. I thank Henry Cuellar, who is the prime
Democrat cosponsor.
Mr. Speaker, 61 Members of the House have cosponsored it. It is a
totally bipartisan piece of legislation. Anna Eshoo was not only a
cosponsor but very helpful when we did Autism CARES of 2019. This
builds on that and expands it and strengthens it going forward.
I also thank the staff. We know so much of the great hard work, the
spade work, is done by the staff; Molly Brimmer, Kristin Fritsch, and
Caitlin Wilson. I also thank John McDonough on my staff. I thought John
would be here. He will be here in a moment. I thank Scott Badesch who
worked for the Autism Society, who is now on our staff for a dozen
years, and also worked for the United Way.
It is a great collaboration of great people all on behalf of helping
those on the spectrum, those with severe autism, and, of course, the
family members and friends who have such a heavy, heavy lift in caring
for and loving because there are so many challenges.
Autism spectrum disorder, Mr. Speaker, is a neurodevelopmental
condition characterized by persistent impairments in social
communication and social interaction, as well as restricted and
repetitive patterns of behavior, leading to difficulty in developing,
maintaining, and understanding relationships with others.
If that is not enough, frequently accompanying autism are other co-
occurring medical, behavioral, or mental health conditions, including
gastrointestinal disorders, learning challenges, sleep disorders,
feeding and eating issues, mental health challenges such as depression
and anxiety, and sensory sensitivities that can lead to seizures.
In some cases, certain symptoms are co-occurring conditions that
result in self-injurious behaviors that present complex challenges to
parents and caregivers.
I point out for the record, Mr. Speaker, about 30 years ago, Bobbie
and Billy Gallagher, parents of two children with autism, who were
babies at the time, came into my office in Whiting, New Jersey, and
said we need to do something. Nothing is really being done.
Sure enough, we found out that CDC was spending about $287,000 a year
for their entire program, straight line for 5 years.
I introduced legislation, the Energy and Commerce Committee
incorporated it into the Children's Health Act, and that began this
important rise in focus and providing the necessary resources to help
those with autism to try to find a way of mitigating its impact on both
the person with it as well as upon the family.
The Autism CARES Act is a comprehensive reauthorization and
strengthening of the whole-of-government effort that we have been
working on now for three decades.
We wouldn't be here today as well if it wasn't for the organizations.
Several of them, and we all know them: Autism Speaks, the Association
of University Centers on Disabilities, The Arc of the United States,
Profound Autism Alliance, and the Autism Society, among many others,
provided us useful and very informed thoughts and suggestions that are
incorporated into this bill.
For the last 2 years, we have been meeting with them, again, trying
to find out what needs to be done and
[[Page H5300]]
where there is overlap. We don't want to repeat things that don't need
to be done.
I have learned so much about how well this is working under the IACC,
which is the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. They go
overboard trying to prevent duplicative research so that we are not
just spending money. We are trying to do it in a way that is very, very
precise and very focused.
As the chairwoman a moment ago said, 1 in 36 children in the United
States are on the spectrum. In my State, it is 1 in 35, so we are one
of the top three in the country that have manifestations of autism. We
need to do more on this.
The bill does also include the idea of the entirety of the age. No
matter what age you are, if you have autism, we want to help and
provide the necessary resources.
We started that last time, and it is making a difference. As my
friend from New Jersey pointed out, it increases from five to seven the
NIH Centers of Excellence. NIH does so much in every category to try
to, again, help those.
Let me just remind my colleagues, and I will finish with this, that
we now have the capability to detect autism as early as 18 months.
Incredible advancements have been made in this area. Yet, the median
age of diagnosis in the United States is not until 4 years of age. We
are missing crucial early intervention opportunities by not identifying
and then helping those who have it.
I urge passage, and again, I thank the chairwoman.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7213, the Autism
CARES Act of 2024, which reauthorizes and strengthens the autism
spectrum disorder initiative through 2029.
The Autism CARES Act is the single most important driver of Federal
investment in autism research and training programs over the past two
decades.
It has led to improvements in early intervention services, a better
understanding of the prevalence of autism, and a better understanding
of the co-occurring health conditions that autistic people experience.
Importantly, it has also been responsible for thousands of future
health professionals being trained on how to screen, diagnose, and
provide interventions to autistic people and other individuals with
neurodevelopmental disabilities to improve their health and well-being.
Thanks to the Autism CARES Act, many health professionals are better
equipped to meet the ever-changing and diverse needs of autistic people
and other people with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
This bill will ensure ongoing support by NIH of research at
institutions like the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta and the Georgia
LEND program at Georgia State University.
Located in my home State of Georgia within Children's Healthcare of
Atlanta, the Marcus Autism Center is one of the largest organizations
in the country that blends research on autism with providing clinical
services for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
I thank Representative Chris Smith for working on this important
issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
{time} 2015
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I believe the gentlewoman has some
additional speakers. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro).
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I am certainly grateful to Representative
Chris Smith for his leadership.
The Autism CARES Act has made an immeasurable difference in the lives
of countless Americans living with either autism, neurodivergence
themselves or the family members who support them.
The massive investment made by this Federal Government in research,
education, and intervention has not only ensured great advancement in
how we diagnose, treat, and assist those living on the autism spectrum,
but it has helped to bring dignity to their lives.
I join my colleagues in advocating for the bill. I certainly support
the legislation. I do so as a Member of Congress, but I also do so as a
father of an adult living on the autism spectrum. I cannot tell you the
struggle, the challenge that families like ours and certainly
individuals like my daughter have had to face.
Thanks to the Autism CARES Act originally adopted some years ago, now
reauthorized, every step along the way we now have a partner in
providing and ensuring that those caregivers, those who interact, those
who provide care have the tools and the resources necessary to provide
dignity and opportunity to her life.
On behalf of my daughter, Abigail Faith Molinaro, I join my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle and encourage support for the
Autism CARES Act reauthorization.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
Again, I would say we can see this is a very important piece of
legislation dealing with autism spectrum disorder, and I urge my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a
``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7213, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mrs. RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________