Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., has been among the more outspoken members of Congress calling for major reductions in federal spending to reduce the budget deficit.
But on Wednesday, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee meeting, he was part of a unanimous vote for nearly $700 million in funding for autism research and treatment. In fact, he is one of three lawmakers who introduced the bill that will reauthorize a 2006 autism law that expires Sept 30. The others are Sens. Scott Brown, R-Mass., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
Enzi spokesman Joe Brenckle explains the senator’s position this way:
The original law called for $1 billion to expand federal research as well as increase services, diagnosis and treatment and enhance awareness efforts. The money increased autism research spending by almost 50 percent. The reauthorization bill will continue the funding for an additional three years. The House has yet to move a re-authorization bill.
Autism Speaks lobbyist Stuart Spielman said he’s confident the bill will pass, though the group is cognizant of pressures caused by the deficit. “We are not blind to the general fiscal environment … but this is a continuation of a successful progam,” he said.
Updated at 11:59 a.m. on Sept. 7.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.Some elements may be removed from this article due to republishing restrictions. If you have questions about available photos or other content, please contact khnweb@kff.org.
