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The Arc and UCP strongly endorse the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2009 (S. 493/H.R. 1205).
Background
The ABLE Act will give individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child's future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities. The ABLE Act will allow individuals with disabilities a tax deduction, up to $2,000 per year, for contributions to an "ABLE account." The account could fund a variety of essential expenses including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation.
The legislation continues to have widespread, bipartisan support. However, even though the House bill now has 180 co-sponsors and the Senate bill has 21 cosponsors, the bills have not advanced since they were introduced more than a year ago.
The time to pass this bill is now - Please contact your Representatives today to encourage them to convene a hearing and vote on the ABLE Act! Once the House votes, the Senate should follow. If we don't get the ABLE act passed by the end of the year, we will have to start all over again next year.
Status of the Bills
House bill (H.R. 1205)
2/26/2009 - Introduced and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and Committee onEnergy and Commerce
Senate bill (S. 493)
2/26/2009 - Introduced and referred to the Committee on Finance
Take Action
Please call your Representative's home district office during the Independence Day recess (July 2-12). Click on the "Take Action" link below and enter your zip code to get the home district office number
What to say:
- May I please speak to the staff member who covers disability issues?
- I am calling to urge Representative ________________ to pass the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2009 (HR 1205) this year.
- I would like to request that Representative _______________:
* ask Ways and Means Chairman Levin to convene a hearing on the bill
* encourage House leadership to schedule a vote on the bill this Congress.
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