Klobuchar-Sponsored Legislation to Support Autism Programs Passes Senate

Press Release

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that bipartisan legislation she co-sponsored to support autism programs has passed the Senate. The bipartisan Autism CURES Act would reauthorize for an additional five years and improve existing autism programs that support critical research, education, early detection, and intervention programs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a report showing autism rates continuing to rise with one in 68 children having an autism spectrum disorder, nearly a 250 percent increase over the past decade.

"We've made great strides in supporting people with autism spectrum disorders, but we still have a lot more work to do," Klobuchar said. "This bipartisan bill will extend and improve a range of critical programs that strengthen autism research and education, and I will keep working to ensure that people with autism and their families have the resources and support they need."

Earlier this year, Klobuchar and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) led a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee stressing the need for full funding of programs that focus on autism spectrum disorder research, screening, and support. Klobuchar also joined with Minnesota families and advocates to discuss her efforts to boost funding for programs that provide better research, screening, and support for people with autism spectrum disorders.

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