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Schakowsky Statement on Senate Vote on the U.N. Convention on the Rights

December 4, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 4, 2012) — Today, Rep. Schakowsky (D-Ill.) released the following statement on Senate rejection of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The vote on the treaty was 61 to 38, failing to receive the 66 votes necessary for ratification.

"I am extremely disappointed with the Senate's rejection of the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The United States should be a leader in providing equal access to every person. Instead, we are trailing behind 126 countries that have already endorsed the Treaty and demonstrated their commitment to providing persons with disabilities with equal access to employment, health care, education and other opportunities.

I applaud President Obama for signing this civil rights Treaty, and I am proud of the disability advocates who have been fighting and who will continue to fight to win its ratification in the Senate. All Americans with disabilities — including those whose disabilities are the result of military service — deserve to know that their country is committed to providing them with equal opportunities.

Despite today's Senate action, I know that the disability rights community and their allies will not rest until this Treaty is ratified and until all Americans are given equal access to the tools they need to participate fully and actively in their communities....

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Adjoa Adofo, (202) 225-2111

Issues:Health