In this issue of Capitol Connection, see an initial election update and lame-duck plans. Continue to educate Members of Congress about the importance of reauthorizing the Autism CARES Act. 

Election Update  

Donald Trump has been elected the 47th President of the United States. Republicans won the majority in the Senate after four years in the minority. Currently, the ratio in the Senate is 53 Republicans versus 47 Democrats with Pennsylvania’s race possibly going into a recount. In the House, the Republicans will keep the majority; however, it will be a razor-thin majority. There are still a few outstanding races to be decided. Currently, Republicans have 218 and Democrats have 208 seats. In any case, the House and Senate will remain very narrowly divided. Under current rules the Senate requires 60 votes to overcome any filibuster or procedural action to delay movement on a bill; in the House, 218 votes are required to pass legislation. See live AP updates. 

These changes will result in new leadership in the Senate and House and Senate committees. The House will return Mike Johnson as Speaker and the Senate has selected John Thune (R-SD) to replace retiring Mitch McConnell (R-KY) after filling that leadership spot for 18 years. The Autism Society will continue to monitor these changes closely, as well as emerging administration and congressional agendas that impact disability policies (see the latest Disability Scoop for more). 

Lame Duck 

Congress returned to Washington on November 12 for a short five-week lame-duck session of Congress. On top of the agenda will be FY2025 appropriations, and emergency spending for hurricane recovery, among a few other must-pass items. The Autism Society will advocate for the Senate to finish its work to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act. Please continue to educate members of Congress about the importance of continuing this important law. 

Medicaid Buy-In Bill 

The Long-Term Services and Support Task Force of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee in support of S. 5070, the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act. This bill would improve the Medicaid Buy-In program by removing the age limit and ensuring people with disabilities can work beyond age 64 and remain eligible for Medicaid. This legislation is necessary to ensure those who want to continue working may do so without sacrificing their ability to receive critical health care and home and community-based support. It would further allow individuals to maintain their independence and autonomy while enabling states to preserve flexibility in providing Medicaid coverage. There is potential for this legislation to move during the Lame Duck Session. The Autism Society will monitor this bill.  

CCD AT Policy Statement 

CCD released a new policy statement regarding access to assistive technology, auxiliary aids, services, and accommodations in the Prek-16 school setting. This comes after many states have started to restrict the use of technological devices such as cell phones and computers in the classroom. According to the statement, “any restriction of devices must not impede the use of any assistive technology required by a student with a disability under Section 504 or according to the student’s Individualized Education Plan.” 

New Ed Fact Sheet for English Learners with Disabilities 

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a new fact sheet on ensuring equal access to elementary and secondary education for students who are English Learners with disabilities. The fact sheet highlights elementary and secondary education’s obligation to provide equal access to education for this population. The fact sheet also includes how to file a complaint if a school has discriminated against this right to equal access to education.  

Direct Support Professionals and Caregivers 

KFF, formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation, released a new report highlighting the results of a study using four focus groups with direct care workers and unpaid caregivers who provide home and community-based services. 

Key findings include the following: 

• All caregivers reported that they were drawn to the work because it allowed them to help people.  

• All caregivers reported that their jobs were physically and mentally demanding and there were limited resources to help deal with the challenges of caregiving.  

• Caregivers in all groups reported struggling to make ends meet and that their compensation did not match the demands of the work.  

See the full report for more details.