Bill Passed on Mostly Party-Line Vote Today would Undermine the Americans With Disabilities Act

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Chief Deputy Whip, decried the way in which legislation that the House passed today on a nearly a party-line vote would undermine the long-standing protections of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which was approved 28 years ago with strong bipartisan support and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.

"I voted against H.R. 620, a cruel attack on the disabled that undermines the bipartisan Americans With Disabilities Act," DeGette said. "This landmark law, passed in 1990, has dramatically improved the everyday lives of people with disabilities, particularly by increasing their access to public space, but more work needs to be done. We should be aiming to advance this progress, but this bill could prove dangerously regressive.

"A civil rights attorney in Colorado before coming to Congress, I remain focused on empowering vulnerable Americans and protecting their basic liberties."

The House approved H.R. 620 213 to 172, with all but 19 voting Republicans supporting it.