Date: Monday, April 28, 2025
Category: Member News
April 28, 2025 - Greetings from Washington, D.C., where pollen and politics are in the air! The annual Congressional appropriations process has started. While the House and Senate committees have been actively meeting already, as of this writing, the President has yet to release his budget proposal. We’re waiting for what is called a “skinny” budget, which is usually a slimmed down version of the Administration’s priorities. This year, with the emphasis on cost-cutting, everyone is expecting a very skinny budget. No facet of American life will remain untouched.
Once the budget proposal is released, the noise will get even louder (if that’s possible). It’s important to keep in mind three things:
- Presidential executive orders have no bearing on the budget or the appropriations process; only Congress has the “power of the purse.”
- Only Congress can dismantle government agencies, such as the Department of Education.
- Congress must approve any “reorganization” of government agencies, such as Health and Human Services (HHS). This means that a Washington Post report about a leaked internal HHS budget draft was just that – a leak. Nothing has happened yet, and nothing can happen without Congress.
While the Republicans have slim majorities in the Senate and House, it’s highly likely they will need Democratic votes to pass anything resembling a budget. And remember, both legislative chambers need to pass the same budget.
That means if you don’t yet know your representatives (Senate and House), get to know them now! Bookmark their websites, sign up for their newsletters, and attend their town halls, whether virtual or in person. If you read or hear something concerning, ask for a meeting so you can tell them your concerns. Remember, they work for you.
Many advocates are gearing up for what promises to be a long fight by contacting their local news media, submitting OpEds, and activating their social networks. Here’s one example – a terrific OpEd by Jennifer Mankoff, Director of the Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE) at the University of Washington. CREATE is the recipient of a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) grant from the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Consider joining RESNA’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC). As a member, you will receive news and information about what’s happening, as well as talking points and suggestions for advocacy. Email execoffice@resna.org. Please note, you must be a RESNA member to join.
RESNA is a proud member of several coalitions. The links below will take you to the coalition websites where you can see the latest activity, which includes RESNA efforts.
The Government Relations webpage lists our 2025 federal priorities and our international efforts. Due to staffing limitations, our efforts are focused on the U.S. federal government level, but we are happy to advise on state and local activities upon request.
Call to Action
If you are with an RERC, or receiving funding from an RERC, please consider joining our action list! We are preparing for an advocacy campaign to support funding for RERCs and NIDILRR.