NJDSC Disability Caucus Endorses Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill

West Caldwell, NJ — At a roundtable discussion with disability advocates on Monday, October 5, Dr. Cecilia Feeley announced the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Disability Caucus’s endorsement of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s bid for re-election. The event was moderated by disability activist Beth Marmolejos.

“The NJDSC Disability Caucus endorses Rep. Sherrill for her fierce dedication to residents in NJ-11, supporting people with disabilities, their families, advocates, and organizations that are dedicated to empowering and ensuring equal opportunities to all,” said Dr. Cecilia Feeley. “As soon as Mikie Sherrill started her first term she was an early supporter and co-sponsor of the Autism CARES Act of 2019, which reauthorized federal research, education, and support efforts for those on the autism spectrum and their families. We would like to recognize her contributions and her being honored as Congressional Champion of Employment Opportunities for people with disabilities.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the NJDSC Disability Caucus. Throughout my time in office, I have worked closely with our disability community in NJ-11 so that I can advocate in Washington for the policies that most effectively support the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. These conversations have been critical in my work to provide research funding, ensure the right of people with disabilities to live in their own homes, and increase employment opportunities. The pandemic has unfortunately created additional barriers for people with disabilities, but I will continue to fight to ensure equal opportunity for all,” said Congresswoman Sherrill.

Congresswoman Sherrill has been an advocate for the disability community during her first term in Congress. She is a member of the bipartisan and bicameral Coalition for Autism Research and Education, a group of legislators committed to autism advocacy in Congress. Her bipartisan Family-to-Family Reauthorization Act was signed into law to reauthorize health information centers that provide guidance and support to families of children with special healthcare needs. Sherrill is leading the bipartisan Protect Telehealth Access Act to codify Medicare reimbursements for telehealth services that were expanded during the pandemic. Sherrill also supported the Disability Integration Act, the Autism CARES Act, and voted for the HEROES Act, which provides funding to support direct support professionals (DSP) for people with disabilities.

Dr. Cecilia Feeley is one of the founding members of the Disability Caucus along with Dr. Sal Pizzuro and Zoey Shalita. She works as the Transportation Autism Project Manager at Rutgers CAIT and is the proud mom of a 21-year-old son with classic autism who transitioned from high school into adult services during the summer of 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. She recently finished her tenure as the Chair of the New Jersey Task Force on Transportation, Mobility, and Support Service Needs of Adults with Autism, which disbanded as a result of the completion of their report.