The House is out of session until April 28th, and a new date for markup in the Energy and Commerce Committee has not yet been announced.
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act (HR.2483) was set to be heard in the House Energy and Commerce Committee on April 8th, but the meeting adjourned before the bill was considered. With the House now in recess until April 28th, the markup has been postponed, allowing us to build on the momentum created by you through fast, coordinated advocacy.
What’s Happened?
- FASD Respect Act provisions were included in the SUPPORT Act as Section 104. This bill was introduced by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie. He included FASD language that was approved by leadership from both parties last session.
- The SUPPORT Act was scheduled to be marked up in committee on April 8th with 25 other bills, but the meeting adjourned before it was considered.
- The House is out of session until April 28th, and a new date for the committee markup has not been announced.
How Did You Help?
- Over 50 letters were sent to FASD United to be hand-delivered to the Representatives. Each letter is logged and shows the legislative staff which bills have support from constituents. Hand-delivering letters also allows us to connect with staff face-to-face, and it is a good excuse to check in on past and potential supporters.
- Well over 100 emails were sent by advocates to committee members to make sure they understand the need for a Federal response to FASD.
- State, local, and national organizations endorsed the SUPPORT Act, with particular approval of FASD provisions. About 25% of the endorsing organizations published by the House Energy and Commerce Committee came from this community!
Why is it Delayed?
The House was working to pass a budget framework before leaving Washington for two weeks, leading to schedule changes that ultimately postponed markup for the SUPPORT Act.
What Now?
- Review the membership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to determine if your Congressperson is a member.
- Send an email to their staff stating your support and endorsement of HR. 2483, with particular support for Section 104 relating to FASD.
- Look below for a template you can use.
- Contact [email protected] if you need help finding a contact.
- Consider typing a letter of support and endorsement to email to [email protected] for hand delivery to your Congressperson’s office.
- Organizations/Professionals: sign onto this letter of support and endorsement.
Email/Letter Template for Constituents
Please make edits based on past conversations with your contact and your own experience as an advocate. Stating your support and endorsement of HR.2483, with particular support for Section 104 relating to support for FASD, is the most important piece of information you can communicate right now. If you have not contacted the office before, you can simply plug in your own information (name, rep’s name, relevant FASD experience).
Email melfi@fasdunited if you need help finding an appropriate contact.
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Dear [contact name],
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act (HR.2483), introduced by Rep. Guthrie last week, includes provisions addressing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which were negotiated by leadership from both parties at the end of the 118th Congress. This language was taken from legislation introduced in the 119th Congress by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Amy Klobuchar as S.139, the FASD Respect Act.
With the House Energy and Commerce Committee marking up 26 bills next week, I urge you and Rep. [Rep’s Name] to be champions for the 1 in 20 Americans who may have an FASD. As an FASD advocate and constituent of Rep. [Rep’s Name], I support and endorse HR.2483, with particular support for Section 104- Support for Individuals and families impacted by FASD.
Feel free reach out to me for more information, or contact FASD United Policy Coordinator Chris Melfi at [email protected] any questions.
Thank You
