ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017

Floor Speech

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 620, the latest Republican attack on our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers with disabilities. Just as they did with cuts to Medicaid for people with disabilities, Republicans are once again demonstrating the cruelty of their backwards agenda.

Nearly three decades ago, the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed and basic civil rights were guaranteed for persons with disabilities. Like the Civil Rights Act, the goal of the ADA was to remove ``unjustified segregation and exclusion of persons with disabilities'' in public accommodations such as hotels, restaurants, and theaters. The ADA did not enable individuals to bring lawsuits against public accommodations for non-compliance; however, many states have expanded these rights. If there are abuses, the states can and should solve these issues.

H.R. 620 undermines the basic goals of the ADA by creating a disincentive for voluntary compliance of business owners and creating burdensome requirements for individuals to bring a private lawsuit for noncompliance. Contrary to what its supporters claim, H.R. 620 would create unnecessary hurdles for victims of discrimination to file an ADA claim. Over its nearly 30 year history, the ADA has been a monumental success story. But instead of building on that success, this Republican bill makes it harder for people with disabilities to protect their right to access public accommodations.

I have heard from countless people with disabilities in Minnesota who are unified in their opposition to this Republican bill. I stand with them, and numerous groups representing people with disabilities, seniors, and veterans, opposing this harmful legislation that rolls back the ADA and Americans' civil rights.

I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 620.

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