Senator Murray Blasts Legislative Assault on Disability Rights from House of Representatives

Senator Murray: “We should be building on [the Americans with Disabilities Act’s] important protections, not chipping them away”

Proposed attack on disability rights “misguided, harmful, and an embarrassment”

House bill is an “absolute nonstarter” in the Senate

(Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued a statement ahead of a vote in the House of Representatives on the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620). Senator Murray strongly reiterated her stated opposition to the bill which would undermine important protections for people with disabilities.

“The House’s attempt to undermine landmark civil rights legislation that has provided needed protections and opportunity to millions of people with disabilities is misguided, harmful, and an embarrassment. Hundreds of civil rights, disability rights, veterans, aging, faith, educational, mental health, labor, and community organizations have also made it clear that they oppose this bill which represents a huge step backwards for disability rights. 

“The Americans with Disabilities Act is a foundational piece of civil rights law that has ensured millions of workers, students, children, and families are not discriminated against on the basis of disability. We should be building on its important protections, not chipping them away. 

“I am committed to working against this horrible bill at every step and standing up for the rights of people with disabilities. My House colleagues should reject this harmful legislation and the damaging step back it represents. I assure them it’s an absolute nonstarter for me in the Senate.” 

Letter from 236 organizations in opposition to the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017:HERE.

More about the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017: HERE.

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