Scott Walker: “Today I rise in support of S. 1698, the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act. I commend the…”

“Today I rise in support of S. 1698, the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act. I commend the leadership of my colleagues and friends from the State of North Carolina, Senator Tillis, Senator Burr, and Representative McHenry, on this important bipartisan issue. Today, we address a dark chapter of the early 20th century in America. Dozens of State governments unjustly and unconscionably operated eugenics programs to sterilize--by force or coercion-- individuals they deemed unfit to have children. It ruthlessly targeted the undereducated, the needy, the disabled, and even African Americans. Thankfully, this shameful practice ended many years ago, but many of its victims are still with us today. While no apology or amount of money or benefit can ever return what was lost, Virginia and our State of North Carolina recently began restitution payments to victims of this grievous injustice. Unfortunately, this program resulted in unintended burdens for eugenics victims. The restitution payments currently count as Federal income against eligibility for Federal benefits, such as Medicaid, and may result in the denial of these benefits. Counting these payments as Federal income when they are compensation for this horrendous injustice is not right.…”