FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Contact: In DC - Brandon MacGillis (202) 225-4431
In CO - Chris Arend (303) 844-4988 
 
 
   
 
 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) today applauded passage of S. 843, the companion bill to the Combating Autism Act of 2005 that she co-sponsored with Representative Mary Bono (R-CA).

"I am very pleased that the House passed the Combating Autism Act today,” said Rep. Diana DeGette.  "This bill gives efforts to combat autism a much needed shot in the arm and places the federal government in a leadership role in diagnostics, causes and cures for autism."

The Combating Autism Act authorizes nearly $1 billion dollars over the next five years to combat autism through research, screening, early detection and early intervention. The new legislation will increase federal spending on autism by at least 50 percent. The Senate bill was sponsored by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and the companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives DeGette and Mary Bono (R-CA). Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. 

"This bill is a ray of hope to the thousands of families struggling every day with autism and I am proud of the role I played in ensuring its passage," said Rep. DeGette.

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