Oh George, you disappoint me.

This is infuriating.

Today the President vetoed H.R. 3043, the Fiscal 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill. That bill includes historic increases in funding for autism research, surveillance, treatment and intervention, as originally promised by the Combating Autism Act, but not yet funded as part of the federal budget.

Specifics:

• A total of $37 million for autism activities at the Health Resources and Services Administration, a $17 million increase over Fiscal 2007 (as authorized in the Combating Autism Act)
• $16.5 million for autism surveillance, research and awareness, a $1.5 million increase over Fiscal 2007 (as authorized in the Combating Autism Act)
• An estimated $111.35 million for NIH-funded autism research.
• $1 million directed to the NIH (through bill language) for implementation of the InterAgency Autism Coordinating Committee, which is responsible for developing a strategic plan to direct future autism research funded by the National Institutes of Health.
  
• Total (including NIH estimate) = $165.85 million

We need to switch the votes of 15 Representatives so we can override the President’s veto and ensure that H.R. 3043, with all its historic funding increases for autism, become law. If the House fails to override the President, we stand to lose those increases for autism surveillance, research, treatment and intervention.

Interesting facts:

• Leukemia 1 in 25,000 Funding: $300 million
• Muscular Dystrophy 1 in 20,000 Funding: $160 million
• Cystic Fibrosis 1 in 5,000 Funding: $75 million
• Juvenile Diabetes 1 in 500 Funding: $140 million
• Autism 1 in 150 Funding: $15 million

Sickening isn't it?
Please, call or email your local Representative and urge him her to vote 'yes' to override.