Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2014

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4631, The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2014. This legislation will reauthorize research and education activities related to autism spectrum disorders, allowing us to continue making progress toward understanding how autism works and assisting those who are impacted by it.

Autism affects 70 million families worldwide, and one in 68 children born in the United States. The bill we are considering today will help to give hope to every mother and father whose sweet baby doesn't smile or babble, to the child who rocks obsessively, to the teen locked in his own mind who is shunned by classmates, and to the aging parents who fear for their adult child's care when they are gone. All of these families need our continued support to thrive.

I would like to thank Autism Speaks South Florida and all of the advocates who work tirelessly to support autism families and research, and I am glad that this legislation will help them continue their fantastic work. This is a bipartisan effort to fund autism research and help reduce the strains on families dealing with autism. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Source