Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 620, which would gut protections for people with disabilities. U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) released the following statement:
“The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 as the civil rights law protecting people with disabilities against discrimination and ensuring access to all parts of our society. Yesterday the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 620, the horribly mis-named ‘ADA Education and Reform Act.’ If enacted, the bill will eliminate the incentives for businesses and organizations to make their services accessible and force people with disabilities to wait 180 day or longer to gain access to services and supports.
Advocates worked tirelessly to oppose the bill in the House and to protect the rights of people with disabilities. As a group of Senators who value the rights of people with disabilities and recognize that disability rights are civil rights, we will work with advocates to uphold the rights of people with disabilities and oppose any legislation that threatens those rights.”
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