Scott: House Passes Bill that Undermines Civil Rights for People With Disabilities

Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 [225-192]. The legislation attacks the civil rights of Americans with disabilities.

“Passage of H.R. 620 is the latest attack on the rights of individuals with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a bipartisan civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures access to places of employment and schools, as well as public buildings and services. H.R. 620 undermines the goals of the ADA to create a more inclusive society and provide equal participation for all members of the community.

"The bill removes incentives for businesses to comply with ADA requirements, placing the compliance burden on individuals with disabilities and delaying access to public accommodations for at least 180 days, perhaps indefinitely. A handful of lawyers threatening to file or filing frivolous lawsuits, many of whom are in the process of being disbarred, should not serve as a basis of sabotaging the ADA. I am disappointed in today’s action and urge the Senate to reject this harmful legislation.”

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