U.S. Chamber Praises House Action on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Joins Civil Rights, Disability Groups to Urge Quick Signature by President

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce today praised the unanimous passage of the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act saying the legislation strikes the right balance between protections for individuals with disabilities and the obligations and requirements of employers.

"We are happy to see the House following suit and proceeding with the Senate ADA Amendments Act which passed last week," said Randel Johnson, vice president of Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits at the U.S. Chamber. "It is now headed for the President's signature. This bill follows months of negotiations and the legislation represents a sound compromise between the Senate, the House, the business community, and the disability community."

The ADA Amendments Act is a result of long negotiations between interested parties which modified the Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act (H.R. 3195/S. 1891). That bill swept far too broadly and would have covered many individuals under the definition of disabilities which Congress never intended. The compromise corrects this problem while at the same time recognizing that the U.S. Supreme Court in several cases unduly restricted the definition of disability. Several other problems with the Restoration Act were also corrected.

"The Chamber is proud of being part of these bipartisan negotiations and to stand with the House and Senate in enacting this worthy legislation," said Randel Johnson.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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