Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to language included in the FY13 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill that strips the Justice Department's authority to implement accessibility standards for swimming pools under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was an amendment offered and discussed earlier this evening. As cochair of the bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and as a person who has lived with a disability for over 30 years, I am very troubled by any attempt to weaken the ADA. However, I am even more surprised to see such language included in an appropriations bill used to fund the Federal Government. In 2010, the Department of Justice issued regulations requiring that public and commercial pools be made accessible by either a ramp or a fixed pool lift. This rule was intended to break down one of many barriers to recreational activities that people with disabilities face. I understand that some businesses, such as hotels and motels, believe that meeting these requirements would impose an undue cost burden, so I would like to take a moment to dispel some of the misunderstandings that have formed around this issue. The Justice Department's regulation only requires existing pool facilities to satisfy the accessibility standards if it is ``readily achievable,'' which simply means that it is ``easily accomplished and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.'' This has been the governing legal principle of the ADA since its passage 22 years ago.…”