Legislative Updates

From Jean Jones
DVR/DVS Legislative Information Representative

2009 ~ 2008 ~ 2007

September 17, 2008

Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Sent to the President for Signing

Read below information just received from the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA) on the final U.S. House vote clearing the ADA Amendments for the President's signature.

Jean H. Jones


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To: The National Rehabilitation Association's Legislative Network

From: Patricia Leahy, Interim Executive Director

Re: HOUSE PASSES S. 3406 TODAY AND THE NOW ON ITS WAY TO THE PRESIDENT

Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2008


For those who read on the run, this Washington Wire deals with one issue only: The passage today, Wednesday, September 17, 2008, on the House Floor of S. 3406, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, by voice vote.

The full U.S. House of Representatives gave its FINAL approval to legislation to stop discrimination against individuals with disabilities by restoring the original Congressional intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This legislation, which was approved by the full U.S. Senate on September 11, 2008, will soon be on its way to President Bush, who is expected to sign the legislation.

This bill, as you know, is intended to nullify a series of 1999 Supreme Court decisions that excluded from the ADA protection for people who take medication to treat conditions like epilepsy or those who wear hearing aids or use prosthetic limbs, among others.

The Majority Leader of the House, Congressman Steny Hoyer (D.MD.) said: "in a series of narrow -- and in my view, mistaken -- rulings, the courts have chipped away at our original intent, bit by bit. Congressman Hoyer and Congressman Sensenbrenner (R.WI.) were the original cosponsors (along with many others) of this legislation.

"Today, we join together to reassert that intent. We have ensured that the definition of 'disability' will be construed fairly and broadly," said Congressman Hoyer.

This legislation has enjoyed wide bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.

We will keep you advised as additional information becomes known to us.

Patricia Leahy
Interim Executive Director
Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
National Rehabilitation Association
633 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-888-258-4295
NRA Office - 703-836-0850
NRA Fax - 703-836-0848
TDD - 703-836-0849
E-mail - patricia@nationalrehab.org
NRA Website - www.nationalrehab.org