the advocacy monitor

Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

Breaking News! House to Take Up WIOA on Suspension Calendar Wednesday

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is entering its final stage before being sent to the President for his signature!

As we previously reported, leaders from the House and Senate have introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Senate passed WIOA on June 25th by a vote of 95-3. The House is scheduled to take up WIOA on the suspension calendar Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

The suspension calendar is used in the House of Representatives to quickly pass (usually) non-controversial bills. Suspension refers to suspending normal Congressional procedure rules. In this streamlined process, a bill that comes up may be debated by Congress for up to 40 minutes, but may not be amended and requires two-thirds of the Representatives to vote in favor of passage. A bill on the suspension calendar will usually pass by “voice vote”

The Rehabilitation Act is contained in WIOA. Specifically, improvements to Independent Living in this bill include:

  • Independent Living Programs will move to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • A fifth core service will be added: transition
  • SILC activities will be improved and include resource development
  • SPIL sign-off will now include CIL Directors
  • States will choose their ‘designated state entity’ (formerly known as the DSU). The DSUs will remain the same for the “723 states” of Massachusetts and Minnesota.

Tell your Representative to vote in favor of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act!