Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month 2025 will be one that goes down in history. This is the year that FASD Respect Act language is thisclose to being enacted by Congress. For the first time in twenty years, federal programs to address FASDs are moving towards being reauthorized, marking a renewed commitment to FASD-informed supports across systems of care.
I came late to the party, so I’ve been part of FASD United’s efforts to get this legislation passed for three years. Two years ago I met with my Representative’s staffer. Last year I met with Representative Bryan Steil (WI) himself. This year other advocates and I met with Senator Tammy Baldwin’s staffer Kiley Mulligan, since the House had already voted to pass the SUPPORT Reauthorization Act (H.R.2483) back in June. Representative Steil was a “yes” vote.
Reaching back in the recesses of my mind, I can remember some of the lyrics and therefore some of the process of an idea becoming a law:
I’m just a bill, yes, I’m only a bill
And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill
Well, it’s a long, long journey to the capital city
It’s a long, long wait while I’m sitting in committee
But I know I’ll be a law someday
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today, I am still just a bill
I’m not gonna lie: the chorus is all I remember. Still, over the past three years of my advocacy in our nation’s capital, I’ve been reminded of what an arduous process a bill has before being signed into law. Imagine my excitement when, standing at the baggage carousel upon my trip home from FASD Impact Week, I received an email that the FASD Respect Act as part of HR2483, the SUPPORT Reauthorization Act, passed! We had met with legislators on Tuesday…and the bill passed on THURSDAY! Of the same week!
After twenty years of advocacy it took only two more days for the bill to pass the Senate on a voice vote “without amendment by Unanimous Consent.” And now it awaits the President’s signature.
When he signs HR2483, the work continues. Funding won’t increase from this act, and current funding isn’t enough to change the world or even the nation, but it’s a step in the right direction to address the lifelong, full-body disabilities of FASDs that impact 1 in 20 people across the country. It’s a start at getting people to recognize the disorder and understand the importance of early identification and FASD-informed supports in order to strengthen families and protect against costly adverse life outcomes.
On this final day of FASD Awareness Month it’s important to recognize the advocacy efforts spearheaded by the FASD United organization that got this lucky, little bill over the finish line.
References
Schoolhouse Rock – I’m Just A Bill Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
Guided by Guida 
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