[NFB-NM] Legislative Alert

Wed Sep 6 02:44:23 UTC 2017

From: NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Pare, John via NFBNet-Members-List
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 5:19 PM
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert

Dear Fellow Federationists:
After thirteen years of legislative and regulatory advocacy, as of Tuesday,
September 5, 2017, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act and the associated
regulations are now final. This is a tremendous accomplishment for all of
us, and is a demonstration of our collective passion, tenacity, and
determination. These regulations will help us live the safe and independent
lives we want. 

Having said that, Congress is back in session with the House scheduled for
twelve legislative days in September, and the Senate scheduled for
seventeen.

Our first call to action relates to the ADA Education and Reform Act. The
House Judiciary Committee plans to vote on this bill (referred to as a
markup) on Thursday, September 7. Please call Chairman Goodlatte and urge
him to postpone this vote until the appropriate research can be done and a
better solution proposed. For more information, read President Riccobono's
letter to Chairman Goodlatte
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/goodlatte_hr620_06142017.pdf> .
Chairman Goodlatte can be reached at (202) 225-5431. As written, this bill
will significantly undermine our rights under the Americans with
Disabilities Act. 

Our next most critical issue is the Access Technology Affordability Act
(ATAA) (H.R. 1734/S. 732). Both the President and Congress are putting
substantial focus on tax reform, thereby increasing the likelihood that the
ATAA has the potential to be included in any such overall tax reform. The
best way for us to increase this potential is by building cosponsor support
for both the House and Senate bills. As a result, please contact your
representative and your two senators to urge them to cosponsor H.R. 1734 in
the House and S. 732 in the Senate. We will be updating you on AIM HIGH, the
Marrakesh Treaty, the TIME Act, Space Available, and the Self-Drive Act in
subsequent legislative alerts.  

A short summary of each bill is included below. I have also included a list
of all the current cosponsors. The best way to contact your member of
Congress is to call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for
the office in question. Emailing your member of Congress is also a good
idea. If you do so, please copy JPare at nfb.org. 

Thanks for all you do!

Warm regards,

John

John ParÃ©
(410) 659-9314 x 2218
National Federation of the Blind

Bill Summaries 

Accessible Instructional Material in Higher Education Act, H.R. 1772 (AIM
HIGH)
This bill will promote instructional technology and content that are
accessible to the blind and other students with print disabilities. Read the
AIM HIGH fact sheet to learn more. <https://nfb.org/aimhighfactsheet> 

Access Technology Affordability Act of 2017, H.R. 1734 and S. 732 (ATAA)
These bills will facilitate the purchase of access technology for blind
people by creating a refundable, per person tax credit. Read the Access
Technology Affordability Act of 2017 fact sheet to learn more
<https://nfb.org/access-technology-affordability-act> .

Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act of 2017, H.R. 1377
(TIME)
This bill will increase employment opportunities by removing stigmas and low
expectations propagated by section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Note that the bill now phases out subminimum wages over a six year period
corresponding to the recommendation of the National Council on Disability.
Read the TIME Act fact sheet to learn more. <https://nfb.org/timefactsheet> 

Current Cosponsors 

Accessible Instructional Material in Higher Education Act, H.R. 1772 (AIM
HIGH) Current Cosponsors
Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] - Sponsor
Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53]
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5]   
Rep. Murphy, Stephanie N. [D-FL-7]
Rep. Ross, Dennis A. [R-FL-15]
Rep. Gabbard, Tulsi [D-HI-2]
Rep. Hanabusa, Colleen [D-HI-1]
Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3]     
Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-16]
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
Rep. Brooks, Susan W. [R-IN-5]
Rep. Visclosky, Peter J. [D-IN-1]
Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]          
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] 
Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8]
Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
Rep. Harper, Gregg [R-MS-3]
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Rep. Lujan Grisham, Michelle [D-NM-1]        
Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4]
Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]  
Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]      
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-5]
Rep. Gonzalez-Colon, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]         
Rep. Green, Gene [D-TX-29]
Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]          
Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5]

Access Technology Affordability Act of 2017, H.R. 1734 and S. 732 (ATAA)
Current Cosponsors
Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3] - Sponsor
Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40]
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10]   
Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5]
Rep. Hanabusa, Colleen [D-HI-1]
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]   
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]
Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16]
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]         

Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act of 2017, H.R. 1377
(TIME) Current Cosponsors
Rep. Harper, Gregg [R-MS-3] – Sponsor
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42]
Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15]
Rep. Murphy, Stephanie N. [D-FL-7]
Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3]     
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] 
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Rep. Lujan Grisham, Michelle [D-NM-1]
Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
Rep. Gonzalez-Colon, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]
Rep. Rice, Tom [R-SC-7]         
Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]          

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