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March 4, 2024 | Vol. MMXXIII | Issue 86
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Budget and Appropriations
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The federal government is continuing to operate under a Continuing Resolution (CR) that continues last year’s funding at the prior levels. On March 1st, President Biden signed H.R. 7463, the “Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024,” which extends funding for appropriated programs through March 8th (Agriculture, Military Construction/VA, Energy/Water, and Transportation/Housing and Urban Development bills) and through March 22nd (Labor/Health/Human Services/Education (LHHS), Defense, State/Foreign Operations, Commerce/Justice/Science, Financial Services, Interior/Environment, Legislative Branch, and Homeland Security bills).
Even though the process has not been completed for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the process for FY 2025 has already started. On March 7th, President Biden is scheduled to give his address at the State of the Union. On March 11th, the White House is planning to release President Biden's Fiscal Year 2025 budget request.
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Plain Language
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Congress is working to finish writing the bills before they expire in March to fund the government for the rest of this year. Congress has also already began work to fund the government for next year.
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Action Steps
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Call and educate your Members of Congress on the importance of passing the appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2024 by the deadlines. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
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U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Ensure People Who Use Wheelchairs Can Travel Safely on Airplanes
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On February 29th, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would “ensure airline passengers who use
wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity.” The NPRM would set new standards for prompt, safe, and dignified assistance, mandate enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs and specify actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged during transport. DOT is accepting comments until April 28th.
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Plain Language
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On February 29th, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced possible new rules that would make sure wheelchair users are safe when travelling on airplanes. Comments are being accepted on this rule until April 28th.
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Action Steps
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Read the announcement from DOT. Read more about the NPRM and submit comments. You can submit comments until April 28th.
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Senate Special Committee on Aging Holds Hearing on Disability Employment
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On February 29th, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled “All Means All: Empowering People with Disabilities to Thrive in Careers and in the Workplace”. The
hearing featured researchers, business owners, and people with lived experience who are working in the community. The expert witnesses provided the Committee with testimony about the importance of people with disabilities working alongside people without disabilities for minimum wage or more.
The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) (S. 533 / H.R. 1263) was introduced by Senator Casey (D-PA), Senator Daines (R-MT), Rep. Scott (D-VA-3) and Rep. McMorris Rogers (R-WA-5) on February 28th, 2023. This bill will phase out the use of 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (5 years after it is signed into law) which currently allows paying people with disabilities subminimum wage. The bill will also assist employers providing employment under 14(c) in transforming their business models to
support individuals with disabilities through competitive integrated employment. The bill also creates technical assistance centers to support businesses as they phase out subminimum wage practices.
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Plain Language
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On February 29th, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled “All Means All: Empowering People with Disabilities to Thrive in Careers and in the Workplace”. People
talked about their experience with competitive integrated employment, and why it is a good thing for people with disabilities to work at jobs with people without disabilities, and earn the same wages.
The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) (S. 533 / H.R. 1263) was introduced by Senator Casey (D-PA), Senator Daines (R-MT), Rep. Scott (D-VA-3) and Rep. McMorris Rogers (R-WA-5) on February 28th, 2023. This bill will stop employers from paying people with disabilities below the minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 an hour.
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Action Steps
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Watch the live stream. Read Members opening statements. Read the testimony of the witnesses on the Senate Special Committee on Aging’s website. Watch Tuesdays with Liz’s episode on TCIEA with Senator Daines. Call and educate your Members of Congress on the importance of competitive integrated employment. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
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House Introduces Bill to Provide Refundable Tax Credit for Home Accessibility Improvements
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On February 15th, Representative Stevens (D-MI-11) introduced the Home Accessibility Tax Credit Act (H.R. 7393). The bill would provide a tax credit for people with disabilities and older adults who make accessibility modifications in their homes. People with disabilities and older adults would be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to 35 percent of the modification cost, with a limit of $15,000 over their entire lifetime. This would allow people to invest in making their homes accessible at a lower cost.
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Plain Language
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On February 15th, Representative Stevens (D-MI-11) introduced the Home Accessibility Tax Credit Act (H.R. 7393). The bill will give people money so they can make their homes more accessible. This will let more people stay in the community.
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Action Steps
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Read the bill text. Read the announcement from Representative Stevens. Call and educate your Members of Congress on the importance of in-home accessibility. You can reach your Members by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
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U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance to Support Preschool Expansion and Early School Success
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On February 26th, the U.S. Department of Education released guidance to support states, local educational agencies, and schools in providing early childhood education to as many children as possible. The resources
explain how schools can use Title I funds to expand access to high-quality preschool for three- and four-year olds in a range of quality settings including HeadStart, schools and community-based organizations. The guidance also includes guidance for how local educational agencies can utilize Title III and IDEA Part B to provide more inclusive early education centers for children with disabilities.
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Plain Language
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On February 26th, the U.S. Department of Education released a document that will helps schools provide more educational opportunities for children under the age of 4. The document will show schools how they can
access money from different government programs to provide more early childhood education.
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Action Steps
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Read the Non-Regulatory Guidance on Serving Preschool Children Through Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended and accompanying Early School Success Dear Colleague Letter.
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Register for the White House Office of Public Engagement Aging and Disability Communities Call
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The White House Office of Public Engagement regularly hosts calls to discuss any federal updates that will affect the older adults and people with disabilities. The next call is March 7th, at 2:00 pm EST. Register.
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Check out the latest episode of Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All
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"Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All" is a YouTube video series highlighting current issues and hot topics in disability policy. Past guests of Tuesdays with Liz include US Senators and Representatives, AUCD’s President Elect, and key members of the disability community.
Liz Weintraub is AUCD's Senior Advocacy Specialist and the host of "Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All."
Liz has extensive experience practicing leadership in self advocacy and has held many board and advisory positions at state and national organizations, including the Council on Quality & Leadership (CQL) and the Maryland Development Disabilities Council.
Find the full playlist on YouTube or check out the latest episode featuring the U.S. Department of Transportation's Disability Policy Advisor, Kelly Buckland.
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