U.S. Chamber Praises President Bush for Signing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce applauds President Bush for signing into law today the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 saying the law strikes the right balance between protecting individuals with disabilities and clarifying the obligations and requirements of employers.

"We are pleased that President Bush has signed into law this bipartisan effort to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act," said Randel Johnson, vice president of Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits at the U.S. Chamber. "We thank Congress for their bipartisan leadership and quick action on this legislation which will help ensure that disabled Americans will have a fair chance to excel in the workplace."

The U.S. House, which first passed the bill in June, agreed by voice vote to send the Senate version of the bill to President Bush which was signed into law. The Americans with Disabilities Act has transformed the nation since its enactment in 1990, but recent Supreme Court decisions unreasonably narrowed the scope of this Act. This new law was an opportunity for the Congress to improve the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as address many of the issues that were raised by recent judicial decisions.

"The Chamber was pleased to work with Congress and the disability community to make sure this historic legislation was signed into law." added 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.

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