DAINES INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL BILL TO SUPPORT MONTANANS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE WORKFORCE

Statement

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced his bipartisan, bicameral bill to support Montanans with disabilities the workforce. Daines' bill, the "Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act" or TCIEA, would end the discriminatory practice of paying individuals with disabilities below minimum wage. Today, tens of thousands of people with disabilities are being paid less than the minimum wage -- most of these workers have intellectual or developmental disabilities -- and some can be paid as little as a few cents an hour.

"Montanans with disabilities contribute to our communities and their work is valuable--they should never be paid below minimum wage. There is dignity and hope in work, so we should be doing all we can to expand opportunity and ensure fair pay to Montanans with disabilities in the workforce," Daines said.

Daines introduced the "Transformation to Competitive Employment Act" with Senator Bob Casey (D-Penn.) in the Senate and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) in the House of Representatives.

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