Urging Action for the ABLE Act

An email from Autism Speaks is urging people to get in touch with their lawmakers to support HR 3423, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act which would allow families raising kids with disabilities to save tax-free for their future needs.   

If you do not know your House member's name, click here.

The group suggests that people call lawmakers with this message:

"I am calling to ask Representative XXXX to cosponsor HR.3423, the ABLE Act, to help secure a safe future for my child who has autism. ABLE would allow parents of disabled children to save tax-free for their futures just as other parents oput away money for their children's college years.Thank you!"

Every House member's website lists a phone number.  The House switchboard is 202-224-3121

The group also asks for emails:

You can email them  here. Urge your U.S. Representative to cosponsor ABLE and to help move the bill quickly through the House. We let you know if they also serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, the first stop for the bill. If they are a committee member, urge them, to use their leadership to help get a strong bill out of committee. Take a moment also to write your U.S. Senators. We have the basic letters already drafted for you, but take a minute to add a paragraph to make it personal about your family and the person you love with autism. 

And finally, appeals to friends and family:

 You can send an email to them after you take action and also post something like this on your Facebook page:

"Please contact our Member of Congress & U.S. Senators today to ask for their support for the ABLE Act. This bill will allow me to save for the future care needs of (CHILD's NAME) in the same way parents can set aside money for their child's college fund. It takes 5 minutes and will help our family. Write DONE so I can thank you!"
Link to: www.autismvotes.org/ABLE1

From the Autism Votes site:

February 9 Update
Capitol Hill Briefing Scheduled for February 16
WASHINGTON, DC -- A Capitol Hill policy briefing on the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act has been scheduled for February 16 from noon to 1:30 pm in room B-339 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The ABLE Act would allow families to create tax free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities to provide long-term savings and financial security.

The briefing has been organized by Reps. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), all cosponsors of HR.3423, the House version of ABLE. A panel of experts will address the briefing. Disabilities advocates are urged to attend to show support for the bill.

To attend, RSVP to:
Jennifer Debes (jennifer.debes@mail.house.gov) in Congressman Crenshaw’s office