[Iabs-talk] Federal Legislation alert

[Marilyn Green]

Greetings fellow federationists,

The House Education and Labor Committee will hold a full committee hearing on the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act, H.R. 873, on Tuesday, May 21st. We need to build more cosponsor support for this bill before that date. Chairman Bobby Scott is the bill champion along with Cathy McMorris-Rogers. Please contact your member of congress and urge them to cosponsor H.R. 873, the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act.
You can contact your representative by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question. The number is (202) 224-3121. If you email your representative, please copy me at marilynvgreen at gmail.com.
It is critical that we move on this quickly, so please strive to make your calls and send your emails as soon as possible.
I have also included a short sample for you: 
“My name is [name] and I am a constituent of Representative [name]. I am calling to encourage the Representative to cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (H.R. 873). The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act provides a thoughtful approach to phasing out Section 14(c) subminimum wage certificates over a six-year period while providing the funding, supports and training necessary to change the infrastructure of outdated business models. This “capacity-building” component of the bill is what distinguishes it from other bills that have attempted 14(c) phase-outs and is a responsible approach to ending the discriminatory payment of subminimum wage while helping businesses transform to competitive integrated employment settings. This bill aligns with the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), which prioritizes competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities and significantly limits the use of subminimum wages, and with the recommendations of the WIOA Advisory Committee, which recommended a thoughtful phase-out of 14(c) together with a systematic approach to expand capacity for competitive integrated employment, particularly for people transitioning out of sheltered workshops. 

Thank you for your support of blind Americans.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]”


Reach out to me if you would like the e-mail address for your member of  Congress or if you would like to understand more about TCE and how it will impact the lives of people with disabilities.

Let's go build the National Federation of the Blind...

Marilyn Green