[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.

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