This is an important presidential election year, but it's an equally important congressional year, when many of our representatives are up for re-election.

With articles about the autism epidemic in the news every day, and reports from schools that one in four children has a developmental disability, we need to know which representatives care enough about the health of our children to protect them from possible harm.

I have given my South Carolina congressman all grades of "F" during their terms in office. I have met either with them personally or with their senior legislative aides on health issues in the past.

Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint never have supported autism causes in any way. Furthermore, they both have cosponsored Senate bills that protect vaccine manufacturers from litigation from children harmed by vaccines.

U.S. Rep. J. Gresham Barrett, 3rd District, Aiken County, got an "F" from me because he, too, has never given any kind of support to autistic children, nor has he signed onto any legislation that would conduct research into the safety of vaccines.

As the grandmother of an autistic child, I know what my top priority will be when I go to vote in November. Both Sen. Graham and Rep. Barrett are running for re-election.

Maurine Meleck, North Augusta, S.C.