Senate Passes Hatch, Murray Bipartisan Resolution Commemorating Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary
(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution from U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Patty Murray (D-WA) to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990.
“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we recognize it as a special kind of civil rights law because it not only prohibits discrimination but it requires reasonable accommodation,” said Senator Hatch. “The ADA is designed not only to protect, but also to advance, to accept, and to embrace. It requires that we maintain a deep and broad consensus and learn from experience. I was pleased to play a leading role in passing this bill in the Senate. It’s an example of what the Senate can do when it functions properly, when we foster broad consensus and leave behind partisan politics. After 25 years, we can look back and see the fruits of this legislation; where for individuals with disabilities doors are open to equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, integration, and economic self-sufficiency. I'm tremendously proud of the legacy of this bill.”
“In the 25 years that have passed since the ADA’s signing, doors to equality have opened for Americans with disabilities, so I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution,” said Senator Murray. “While we have made progress, we need to look to the future for ways we can build on the foundation of this historic and significant civil rights law to create a better future for all Americans. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in Congress to continue to work in a bipartisan way to identify barriers and expand opportunity for people with disabilities.”
Read the resolution HERE.
Senate Cosponsors of the resolution: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA), Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 on July 13, 1990, and President George H. W. Bush signed the Act into law on July 26, 1990. On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. To overturn other judicial decisions that narrowed the scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and to restore protections for people with disabilities, Congress passed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and President George W. Bush signed the Act into law in September of 2008. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, remains one of the most significant and effective civil rights laws passed by Congress. The United States Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Act in Olmstead v. L.C. has been a catalyst to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the United States.
