Capitol Insider
Action Alerts
Please Ask Your Representative to Support Kevin and Avonte’s Law
Tell Congress: Support Our Caregivers
Major Recent Events
Congressional Schedule
Last week, the House and Senate wrapped up legislative business and adjourned. They are expected to return on November 14 to complete the budget process and, depending on the outcomes of the election, may tackle other issues.
Budget & Appropriations/Prevention – President Signs Short Term FY 2017 Federal Spending Bill
Last week, the House and Senate passed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 spending bill that runs through December 9. President Obama signed the measure into law shortly afterwards, only two days before the start of FY 2017. The measure advanced after several controversial policy riders were removed and emergency supplemental funding was provided to address the Louisiana flooding and the Flint, Michigan lead water crisis. This bill provides slightly less-than-level funding to most federal agencies and provides new funding to address the Zika virus. Key elements include:
- An across-the-board cut of about 0.5 percent from FY 2016 levels to comply with the spending caps set by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. This cut would apply to all discretionary disability-related programs such as education, housing, employment, and transportation.
- $1.1 billion in emergency funding for the Zika response, about $400 million of which is offset with funding that has not been spent (such as unused funding for Affordable Care Act exchanges in territories). Read The Arc’s statement on the passage of the Zika funding bill.
Announcements
Miscellaneous – Paul Marchand Internship Application for Spring 2017 Session Due Oct. 15
The Paul Marchand Internship Fund will provide $3,000 per semester or summer session to assist interns interested in pursuing careers in public policy advocacy for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). For 38 years, Paul Marchand was a dedicated disability policy advocate and recognized leader working on behalf of people with I/DD and the larger disability community. Upon his retirement in 2011, The Arc, with substantial contributions from United Cerebral Palsy, other organizations, and individuals with whom Paul worked during his decades in Washington, established an internship to honor Paul and to continue to cultivate disability policy advocates. See more information here.
NOTE: Capitol Insider will not be published until November 21, 2016 when Congress resumes after the election. For updates in the meantime, please check the Capitol Insider blog.
Tony Paulauski
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org