FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2005
CONTACT: Steve Forde or Kevin Smith
Telephone: (202) 225-4527

House Backs Boustany Bill to Provide Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The House passed the Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita Act (H.R. 3864) without opposition.  The bill will give individuals with disabilities from hurricane-impacted states greater access to vocational rehabilitation services so they may return to work in the aftermath of the hurricanes.

 

“This bill represents another step we have taken to provide needed resources to the people of the Gulf Coast,” said Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA).  “It will give many of them an opportunity to contribute to the economic development of their communities and participate in reconstruction efforts.”

 

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 established the vocational rehabilitation state grants program, which is the primary federal program to assist individuals with disabilities in finding employment.  Under this law, states must return unused vocational rehabilitation funds at the end of each fiscal year to the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).  The RSA then reallocates those funds to states based on the needs of their respective residents.  H.R. 3864 directs the Commissioner of the RSA to give consideration to states affected by the hurricanes in the reallocation of those unused funds.  

 

The bill also provides significant flexibility for states impacted by the hurricanes.  Under the Rehabilitation Act, states that receive a reallocation are required to match those funds with non-federal sources.  H.R. 3864 provides a reasonable, one-time waiver of that requirement for states affected by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. 

 

“In the month since Hurricane Katrina, the House has approved a variety of legislation to cut through bureaucratic red tape and enhance flexibility in the affected regions,” noted Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH).  “We’ve addressed the needs of college students, workers, and their families, and with this bill, we focus on the needs of individuals with disabilities as well.”

 

“After these devastating hurricanes, we have an obligation to provide flexibility to impacted states so more individuals with disabilities can maximize their unique capabilities and find the jobs they want and need,” said Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee.

# # # # #

Press Releases