Brief election update
We will get a more detailed Inside Washington out in the next couple of days.
· Here are a few facts related to how the House changes could affect disability
issues.
· You need to read these with an eye to the fact that there could be changes
made in the leadership of at least the subcommittees mentioned below.
· Stay tuned.
House Energy and Commerce Committee
Chairman now, Barton (R-TX), supports Medicaid cuts, very problematic on autism
bill, and has been a problem on the TBI reauthorization.
Chairman 07, Dingell (D-MI), strong supporter of Medicaid and disability
issues. (In addition, this is the Committee with jurisdiction over the
reauthorization of the DD Act, SAMHSA, TBI, etc.)
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman now, Lewis (R-CA), decent man, has been supportive of disability
programs - particularly housing -- in the past.
Chairman 07, Obey (D-WI), strong supporter of disability programs. (This is the
Committee with jurisdiction over program funding.)
House Labor-Health and Human Service-Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Chairman now, Regula (R-OH), decent man, good staff, supportive of disability,
education, health programs.
Chairman 07 - Obey is Ranking Member now, but if he becomes Chairman of full Appropriations
Committee he may not have a Subcommittee. Other Democrats in order of seniority
are Hoyer (MD), Lowey (NY), Jackson (IL), Kennedy (RI), and Roybal-Allard (CA).
(This is the Subcommittee that funds P&A/CAP programs, most other
disability, education, labor, and health-related programs)
House Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Appropriations Subcommittee
Chairman now, Knollenberg (R-MI), some interest in disability issues, but
funding for housing has been really tight.
Chairman 07, Olver (D-MA), we don't know much about him. (This is the Committee
that funds federal housing programs, rental vouchers, etc.)
House Education and the Workforce Committee
Chairman now, McKeon (R-CA), good on some issues, such as Assistive technology.
Chairman 07, Miller (D-CA), very good on disability issues. (This is the
committee that has jurisdiction over the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation
Act (with CAP and PAIR), No Child Left Behind, etc.)
House Judiciary Committee
Chairman now, Sensenbrenner (R-WI) , did just introduce ADA Restoration Act but
has been problematic on many disabilitiy and civil rights issues. He would be
stepping down a Chairman anyway in 07 because of term limits.
Chairman 07, Conyers (D-MI), good on civil rights and disability issues. (This
is the Committee that ususally has jurisdiction over rights issues, ADA, Hate
Crimes, Consent Decree bills, etc. )
House Financial Services Committee
Chairman now, Oxley (R-OH) has been ok on certain issues.
Chairman 07, Frank (D-MA), good on civil rights, staff knowledgeable on
disability issues, but he was very much a problem back when the elderly-only
housing laws were passed. (This is the Committee that does housing issues.)
House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Chairman now, Ney (R-OH) - who has resigned from the House. He was ok on many
of our issues.
Chairman 07, the current Ranking Member is Waters (D-CA), but leadership here
could also change. (This Committee would do Affordable Housing Trust Fund
legisaltion, legislation to revamp the Section 811 Supportive Housing program,
etc.)
House Budget Committee
Chairman now, Nussle (R-IA), left Congress to run for Iowa governor - lost
that. He has been out in front on cuts to entitlement and other important
programs.
Chairman 07, Spratt (D-SC), good on funding for domestic programs. (This
Committee does the Budget Resolution and other budget related things.)
House Committee on Ways and Means
Chairman now, Thomas (R-CA)
Chairman 07, Rangel (D-NY). This should be interesting. (This is the Committee
with jurisdiction over revenue measures, such as tax cuts.)
Committee on House Administration
Chairman now, Ehlers (R-MI)
Chairman 07, Millender-McDonald (D-CA). (This is the Committee with
jurisdiction over the Help America Vote Act, and other voting related
measures.)
Kathleen H. McGinley, Ph.D
Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy
National Disability Rights Network
202-408-9514 phone, 202-408-9520 fax
www.ndrn.org
.
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