Ander Crenshaw Renames ABLE Act After NDSS Vice Chair

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., saw his Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Actpass the U.S. House last week and expects the U.S. Senate to pass it in the coming days, but now he is looking to rename the bill after a supporter of it who passed away earlier this week.

Crenshaw called on Wednesday to rename the bill after Stephen Beck Jr., who died on Monday at the age of 44. Beck, whose daughter has Down syndrome, was an advocate of the bill which would create tax-free savings accounts for disabled Americans and who served as vice chairman of the board of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).

The disability advocacy community has lost a true champion, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Steves family, friends, and colleagues, said Crenshaw. Steve represents the soul of the ABLE Act and played a central role in getting if off the ground more than eight years ago.

More importantly, on behalf of his own daughter, Natalie, and millions of others with disabilities, Steve never gave up hope that ABLE would move across the congressional finish line and become law of the land, Crenshaw added. He had a huge smile on his face when the gavel came down last Wednesday, marking House passage of the bill that empowers millions of Americans to reach for their dreams. History was made in large part because of his steadfast dedication to improve the quality of life for so many an important lesson we would all do well to keep close a heart.