ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1634, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act.

Although we have made considerable progress on bringing people with disabilities into the workforce, the numbers reveal how far we still have to go. Only 23 percent of the over 44 million individuals living with a disability are employed. This is not because they lack the skills or the willingness to work, but often because they face persistent structural barriers, such as discrimination, limited flexibility in the workplace, and inadequate transportation options, among others.

While small firms employ half the private-sector workforce, they may face challenges of their own, such as outdated infrastructure or uncertainty about accommodations. Helping small firms hire people with disabilities can directly benefit their company and in turn boost the overall economy.

This bipartisan bill requires that SBA collaborate with the National Council on Disability to help employers hire more people with disabilities and provide much needed support to these entrepreneurs.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Stauber, Ms. Simon, Mr. Alford, and Mr. Pappas for their bipartisan collaboration on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Simon).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues: Mr. Stauber, for sharing his story, for acting on behalf of his son and so many Americans with disabilities; Ms. Simon for her passion and her work in this area; and Mr. Alford and Mr. Pappas for their bipartisan work on improving entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Every individual, no matter their disability, deserves a shot at participating in our economy and getting that shot at the American Dream. Whether it is getting a job in a local small business or launching their own startup, this bill directs the SBA and the National Council on Disability to collaborate on ways to help individuals with disabilities do just that.

By passing this bill, we can start clearing the structural barriers faced by people with disabilities, while growing the economy and helping small business owners.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1634, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman McGarvey for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Stauber, and I am excited to work with him so closely during my time in Congress to advance the opportunities for folks with disabilities in this country. It is just a deep honor for the two of us to continue on our path of representing Americans with disabilities.

As the first congenitally blind person to serve in the United States Congress, I am honored to rise today in support of this bipartisan bill with Representative Stauber, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act.

As a community organizer and leader for over 20 years, I focused on finding jobs and opportunities for low-income folks in the bay area in California, and I came to Congress to bring those communities with me, particularly the disability community, a community that I belong to.

The disability community is too often left out of policy conversations, and today, Democrats and Republicans are bringing our brothers and sisters to the table.

Right now, the unemployment rate for people with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities remains alarmingly high in this country. Ashamedly, it is at 80 percent. Yes, 80 percent. This, we know, is unacceptable.

We can close the disability employment gap, not only to advance independence, dignity, and freedom for Americans with disabilities, but to drive economic growth.

This bill, my bill, our bill, creates an essential partnership between the Small Business Administration and the National Council on Disability to help individuals with disabilities pursue self- employment, dignity, launch small businesses, and thrive in the workforce.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill and build an economy that works for all of us. Mr. Speaker, I am so honored to say we can move this forward today.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank Representative Stauber for advocating for his son and the millions of folks with disabilities in this country to have their just due and to support me in this legislation moving forward. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Williams and Ranking Member Velazquez for their efforts in moving this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1634) to provide for a memorandum of understanding between the Small Business Administration and the National Council on Disability to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of H.R. 1634, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act, introduced by Representatives Stauber and Simon.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their collaboration on this important legislation which aims to break down barriers and provide greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities nationwide.

Far too many individuals with disabilities continue to face systematic

challenges when trying to enter the workforce or start a small business. As Congress, we have a responsibility to recognize their talents and create opportunities that empower them to succeed.

The bill takes a simple, practical step toward directing the SBA to work directly with the National Council on Disability, and together they will coordinate efforts to help individuals with disabilities pursue entrepreneurship, secure employment with small businesses, and overcome accessibility challenges. This will help ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to business counseling through existing SBA programs, like the Small Business Development Centers.

Importantly, H.R. 1634 is a commonsense, no-cost solution that provides individuals with disabilities more opportunities to succeed on Main Street and start their own small businesses.

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan effort, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I thank both my Republican and Democrat colleagues for their kind words. They are both spot on, and I couldn't be more proud to stand here and support this bill.

I rise today in strong support of my bill, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act.

I want to begin by thanking my colleagues from California, Missouri, and New Hampshire, Representatives Simon, Alford, and Pappas, for their support of this important legislation.

As a father to a young man with Down syndrome, I have seen firsthand just how much untapped talent exists within the disability community. Unfortunately, outdated systems and perceptions still keep far too many of these individuals on the sidelines in our economy.

That is just unfair, and it is a missed opportunity for American growth and innovation, and deprives our economy of their incredible contributions.

The ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act takes a critical step towards breaking down these barriers. This bill directs the Small Business Administration and the National Council on Disability to collaborate in providing resources and assistance to individuals with disabilities who want to start their own business or find meaningful employment, and it also ensures that small businesses have the guidance they need to hire and support employees with disabilities.

Through this bill, we are ensuring that individuals with disabilities can turn their ambitions into reality, whether that means starting a company or securing meaningful work. At the same time, we are helping small businesses tap into a skilled and motivated workforce by offering them the guidance to do so confidently.

Individuals with disabilities should not be overlooked. They should be empowered.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation so that every American, regardless of their ability, has the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and thrive in this great Nation.