Ayotte: Approving Disabilities Treat is 'Right Thing to Do'

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) joined former Senator Bob Dole, a bipartisan group of senators, and several veterans service organizations at a Capitol Hill press conference today calling for Senate ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) - an international treaty that would help Americans with disabilities live, travel, study and work abroad.

The CRPD is based on the Americans with Disabilities Act and has the broad support of numerous veterans groups, hundreds of disability rights organizations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, and former President George H.W. Bush. The treaty would not require any changes to U.S. law and its provisions are not directly enforceable in U.S. courts. Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to advance the CRPD, which has been ratified by 147 countries.

"Ratifying the CRPD is the right thing to do," said Senator Ayotte. "We have broad bipartisan support for this treaty, which would break down barriers for our nation's wounded warriors and Americans with disabilities by allowing them to enjoy the same standards and opportunities when traveling, working, or studying abroad as they do in the U.S. I will continue work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make the case for the CRPD and will not let up until we get this done."

The following veterans' service organizations participated in today's press conference: The American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project, Vietnam Veterans of America, VetsFirst (a program of United Spinal Association), Air Force Sergeants Association, Military Officers Association of America, Blinded Veterans Association.

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