Cramer: House Passes Legislation to Help Those with Disabilities and Their Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill cosponsored by Congressman Kevin Cramer to create tax-free savings accounts for those who live with disabilities, allowing families to save for disability-related expenses in the same way that is provided for other major life events such as college and retirement. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act passed with a bipartisan vote including 221 Republicans and 183 Democrats.
While American families currently enjoy tax incentives to save for significant future expenses, people with severe disabilities face who significant challenges of their own do not have an equivalent savings instrument. The ABLE Act allows parents to save for their child’s long-term disability expenses in a 529A (or “ABLE”) account. 529A accounts would be administered in a similar manner as 529 college savings accounts, allowing contributions in after-tax dollars to grow tax-free.
In a speech on the floor of the House, Cramer shared the stories of four North Dakota families who strongly believe the legislation will help their children with Down syndrome lead fuller lives.
“My intention this morning was to get up and try to eloquent in talking about the ABLE Act that we are going to be voting on later today,” Congressman Cramer said on the House floor. “But since yesterday I’ve received four emails from parents in North Dakota whose words are far more eloquent than mine could ever be.”
“How exciting that we are at this point where the dreams of the act passing may come true in the next days,” wrote Roxane Romanick of Bismarck. “Last spring, my own daughter, Elizabeth, turned 15. Due to her diagnosis of Down syndrome, she has the support of an Individual Education Plan at school. Required by law, the school will start working on a transition plan for her within a few short months. Passage of the ABLE Act will mean that we can start a savings account for her in much the same way that we did for her brother.”
“My son is young and only time will tell what services and programs he may or may not need when he is an adult,” wrote Marijo Schwengler of Fargo. “But one message is clear: David must remain ‘poor’ in order receive the services. Even if the services may not provide for all his needs adequately. We can’t save for David in the same way we can for his brothers. The ABLE Act would mean that we could start saving for David’s future today.”
“Our journey includes being blessed seven years ago with a beautiful baby boy with crystal blue eyes and a massive amount of blonde hair. His name is Grady and he has Down syndrome,” wrote Jamie Christensen of Bismarck. “Like many families, we want to care for our children equally, doing what we can to give them tools to help them reach their full potential. Shortly after Grady was born, I opened a 529 College SAVE account for Grady’s big sister. It was then that I realized I had no idea how to plan for Grady’s future.”
“Our daughter Ella was born on Christmas Eve just about 4 years ago,” wrote Aaron Schuler of Bismarck. “Our lives have been fully enriched by Ella and we plan to give her every opportunity to grow and chase her dreams. She will be a crazy teenager, graduate and go to college, work a full-time job, and have real meaningful relationship. We believe this for her. That is what makes the Able act is so important to Ella and to people all over our great country.”
“This legislation will go a long way toward leveling the playing field for these families, enriching their lives just as they enrich the lives of our entire country,” Congressman Cramer concluded.
In 2013 and 2014, Cramer was presented with the Superhero award from the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) for his commitment to people with Down syndrome. In February 2014, Congressman Cramer presented the national 2014 Buddy Walk of the Year Award to ‘Up with Downs’, a Down syndrome support network serving families in the Fargo/Moorhead area. Cramer is also a member of the U.S. House Down Syndrome Caucus, which supports legislative activities to improve Down syndrome research, education, and treatment.
A photo of Cramer being presented with the Superhero award in 2013 can be viewed here, and a photo of the 2014 Superhero award presentation can be viewed here. Photos of Congressman Cramer presenting the Buddy Walk of the Year Award to Up with Downs can be viewed here.
