Combating Autism Reathorization Act

The Combating Autism Reauthorization Act was voted into law by President Barrack Obama on September 30, 2011. The law will enable $693 million to be used in the next three years for continued research into the causes and treatments of autism. This law will allow $22 million to be used by the CDC for the study of autism. This law will also fund $161 million to be used by the National Institutes of Health for autism research. This law will appropriate $48 million to be used by the Health Resources and Services Administration for early detection and treatment programs("Thank you president", 2012).
Before this law was voted into law, the bill number was S. 1094. The bill was created to research and continue to educate the public about Austism Spectrum Disorders. The $22 million will be used through 2014. This law is continuing the 2006 Combating Autism Act in which the government committed to give money to fund research and education on autism for five years.

Mike Enzi (R, WY), ranking Minority Leader of the HELP committee, voted yes on the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act. This bill was a bipartisan effort because the entire senate, regardless of political affiliation voted yes on this bill. Enzi was instrumental in moving the bill out of the HELP committee quickly in order for it to be sent to the Senate for a vote ("Autism speaks", 2011).

Mr. Enzi helped sponsor the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act. A sponsor is a senator or representative who introduces a bill to either the senate or house. The sponsor is the chief support of a bill and tries to get it passed and made into a law ("Sponsor (legislative)",2009). Mike Enzi stated “This important legislation continues the good work of the original Combating Autism Act, which assists individuals living with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families, and ensures that those key programs do not expire. This bill safeguards autism research and makes sure that there will be sustained awareness of autism across federal health agencies. I am glad this bill will continue to provide a voice to the community of people affected by this disorder” ("Autism policy and", 2011) Enzi helped sponsor the bill due to the increased cases of autism in this county which currently affects one out of every hundred and ten children and one in seventy boys.


Thank you president obama: combating autism reauthorization act signed into law. (2011, September 30). Retrieved from http://autismsciencefoundation.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/thank-you-president-obama-combating-autism-reauthorization-act-signed-into-law/

Autism policy and politics. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.autismpolicyblog.com/2011/05/lawmakers-introduce-combating-autism.html)

Autism speaks hails historic senate vote renewing autism act for another three years. (2011, September 27). Retrieved from http://www.autismvotes.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=frKNI3PCImE&b=3930723&ct=11236591


Sponsor (legislative). (2009, October 12). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponsor_(legislative)