Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today announced that he is an original cosponsor of S. 3406, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act. This bipartisan legislation would clarify the intent of the original ADA and would better protect the rights of all Americans with disabilities.
"The original Americans with Disabilities Act was a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that created new opportunities for millions of Americans," said Thune. "However, several court cases have left deserving individuals without the protection the ADA was designed to provide. The ADA Amendments Act will clarify Congress's intent and will more clearly instruct courts to take a more generous interpretation of the original act.
"Americans should not be forced to choose between treating their medical conditions and surrendering their workplace protections under ADA."
The ADA Amendments Act is supported by most national disability organizations as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the Human Resources Policy Association. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill on June 25, 2008 by a wide margin.
"The original Americans with Disabilities Act was a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that created new opportunities for millions of Americans," said Thune. "However, several court cases have left deserving individuals without the protection the ADA was designed to provide. The ADA Amendments Act will clarify Congress's intent and will more clearly instruct courts to take a more generous interpretation of the original act.
"Americans should not be forced to choose between treating their medical conditions and surrendering their workplace protections under ADA."
The ADA Amendments Act is supported by most national disability organizations as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the Human Resources Policy Association. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill on June 25, 2008 by a wide margin.