Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the Midwest has been hard-hit by record flooding in recent months, disrupting the lives of the farmers, homeowners, and families of my Illinois Congressional District. Flood damage to schools alone is expected to reach nearly $100 million, and as a result some schools will not open in the fall. Those schools able to open their doors are desperately trying to get ready for the upcoming school year, but repairs and cleanup are ongoing.

Moreover, many schools will see an influx of flood-displaced students, while others will face financial challenges due to the loss of students and property values where the schools are located. I have heard from several regional superintendents in my district, particularly Mr. Ralph Grimm of West Central Community Unit School District No. 235 in Henderson County, with concerns that this situation will make it difficult for them to make ends meet in the coming school year.

To address short- and long-term needs, immediate education disaster assistance for flood-impacted schools is necessary to ensure that students continue to receive a quality education in the aftermath of this disaster. As such, I proudly introduce the Midwest Schools Disaster Relief Act.

Similarly to the assistance Congress approved after Hurricane Katrina, this bill would:

Authorize funds to restart school operations. These monies could be used on transportation assistance, to replace damaged textbooks and computers, rent temporary classroom sites, hire additional staff for counseling services, clean up school buildings, and other services and activities.

Authorize funds for schools to accommodate any displaced students they enroll.

Prohibit the loss of students due to displacement to count against schools when Federal funding is calculated for the next academic year.

Waive the Federal requirement that schools maintain their share of financial responsibility in providing education services.

Ensure the needs of homeless students displaced by flooding are met through the Education for Homeless Youth program.

The natural disasters of May and June 2008 have adversely affected the economy, agriculture, critical infrastructure, and school districts of the Midwest. As weather-damaged schools prepare to welcome students back in just a few short weeks, we simply cannot stand by and watch our children receive a lower-quality education solely because they live in an area where flooding or storms occurred.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

I thank the Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the College Opportunity and Affordability Act conference report.

The conference report includes the College and University Rural Education Act, which I introduced with Representatives Loebsack and Zack Space. This measure will stop the brain drain and create opportunities in rural America by increasing enrollment of rural high school graduates in institutions of higher education; creating employment pipelines; and providing training for professions of need in rural areas.

Today's bill also includes a provision I developed with Mr. Loebsack to prepare individuals to serve as administrators and principals in rural areas. School leadership is key to student achievement, and rural America experiences a huge deficit in this area.

I included a measure to help dislocated workers by informing them of their right to an alternative income calculation when applying for financial aid. This will ensure that workers who lost their jobs have access to retraining opportunities.

This conference report builds upon the work we started in the College Cost Reduction Act. I commend Ranking Member McKeon and my chairman, Chairman Miller, and urge all my colleagues to support the conference report.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act of which I am a proud cosponsor.

Every April I participate in ``Equal Pay Day'' with my friend, Representative Rosa DeLauro, and other colleagues. This is the time of year when wages paid to American women ``catch up'' to the wages paid to men from the previous year. In other words, because the average woman earns less, she must work longer for the same amount of pay. The legislation before us today addresses this unacceptable reality.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. This wage disparity will end up costing women anywhere from $400,000 to $2 million over a lifetime in lost wages. Making matters worse, the wage gap grows wider as women age and move through their careers, creating serious economic security concerns.

The Paycheck Fairness Act will strengthen pay equity laws by closing the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay, and help build economic and retirement security for women.

It is in the best interest of all Americans to ensure that every worker is treated fairly and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I commend Ms. DeLauro for introducing the legislation and for her leadership on this issue over the past decade.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank you for those kind words.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6445, to prohibit the collection of certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled. I want to commend Representative Don Cazayoux of Louisiana for introducing this measure. This bill also includes legislation that I authored, H.R. 6439, the Mental Health for Heroes' Families Act.

Current law allows the VA to provide support services to immediate family members of veterans being treated for service-connected conditions. However, with respect to other veterans, the VA may only provide the services when they are initiated during a period of hospitalization, greatly limiting veterans and their families' access to care.

While not changing the rule that such services must be deemed necessary for the veteran's treatment, my bill simply repeals the precondition that a veteran must be hospitalized before initiating family services.

The VA has begun to transform the delivery of mental health care from an inpatient-based model to an outpatient model, which has improved efficiency and increased veterans' access to care. However, as a result, some families have become ineligible for support services simply because their loved one's care was provided on an outpatient basis. As long as family support services are necessary in connection with the veteran's treatment, it should be irrelevant whether the disability under treatment is service-connected or provided in a hospital.

This bill would make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of men and women, and I am pleased it is being considered as part of H.R. 6445. I urge all of my colleagues to support Mr. Cazayoux's legislation to ensure that our veterans and their families receive the care and support they need.

Once again, I want to thank the chairman of our committee, Chairman Filner, and Ranking Member Buyer.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2192) to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an Ombudsman within the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am glad my colleagues and I on both sides of the aisle were able to work together to craft this important piece of legislation. I would like to thank the Subcommittee on Health Chairman, Mike Michaud of Maine, and Ranking Member Jeff Miller for the bipartisan leadership they demonstrated in working on this important bill.

Over 30,000 servicemembers have been wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Many of these servicemembers suffer from multiple serious injuries that will require long-term care, spanning beyond their discharge and into the care they receive from the VA.

In 2007, reports from the Independent Review Group, the President's Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes, and the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, all highlighted the need to improve case management for servicemembers and veterans in the military health system and in the VA. In response, the VA instituted a number of initiatives to support veterans and their families. These measures include appointing patient advocates in every medical center for OEF and OIF coordinators and transition patient advocates for those seriously injured in combat.

The Joint Federal Recovery Coordinator Program was also established to serve as a single point of contact for seriously wounded and ill servicemembers, veterans and their families. However, the scope of the FRCP is very

limited. As of June 1, 2008, there were only eight recovery coordinators working with 80 patients. Less seriously wounded veterans do not have access to the FRCP. Instead, they must attempt to navigate the complex system using medical centers, patient advocates, benefit counselors, OEF and OIF coordinators, transition patient advocates and vet center counselors.

H.R. 2192, as amended, would create the Office of the Ombudsman within the VA to oversee patient advocacy work and coordinate assistance for our Nation's veterans. The office would be tasked with identifying trends across the system in patient issues and complaints that would allow improvements to VA policies, practices and procedures. The office would also serve as the arbiter of last resort for complaints and issues that cannot be resolved at local or regional levels.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2912.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this point I would like to yield 3 minutes to the author of H.R. 2192, a tremendous friend of veterans, not only in New Hampshire, but across this country, Congressman Paul Hodes.

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

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 H.R. 2192, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4255) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to the Paralympic Program of the United States Olympic Committee, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, we must honor the sacrifice of our servicemembers by providing them with the resources needed to heal from the wounds of war and to help them live an active life after their service to our country.

While the VA has taken an active role in initiating programs for our most severely injured veterans, I strongly believe that Congress should provide the VA with the needed resources to help meet this growing demand for rehabilitative services. For this reason, H.R. 4255, the United States Paralympic Programs Act of 2008, is introduced, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

This bill would establish the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events; it would authorize the VA to provide grants to the United States Olympic Committee to implement the Paralympic Program; and, authorize a financial assistance program for veterans who participate in events leading to elite competition.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a decade since Congress last revisited this program that provides opportunities for participation in paralympic supports. Our Nation's current commitment in fighting the global war on terror has brought to light the need to reevaluate existing programs to see if they meet the needs of a new generation of disabled veterans and servicemembers.

As the number of disabled servicemembers has substantially increased over the years, it has become necessary to expand available rehabilitative services to ensure that these men and women are afforded the best possible care after their service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the efforts of the VA for entering into a memorandum of agreement with the United States Olympic Committee to help take care of seriously injured veterans and allowing them to be part of the Paralympic Program. This program helps them to accept new physical limitations and to explore those limits. I, like some of my colleagues in the House, have had the pleasure of meeting some of these servicemembers and veterans who have benefited from programs such as the one being proposed today.

Earlier this year, the chairman had the pleasure of meeting Jose Ramos, a veteran of the Navy originally from El Paso, Texas. Jose testified before the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity about benefits that adaptive sports programs provide in teaching veterans that they can continue to live productive lives despite their injuries.

I would like to thank the ranking member of the committee, Representative Steve Buyer, for the bipartisan effort he demonstrated in working on this important piece of legislation. By working together, we were able to incorporate language from his bill and craft H.R. 4255. I ask all my colleagues to join me in showing their strong support for H.R. 4255 as amended, the United States Paralympic Program Act of 2008.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5892, the Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008, and I commend Chairman Hall for his tireless work on this issue.

The disability backlog of more than 800,000 claims in the VA is a moral black eye for our country. We made a promise to those who served in uniform, and we have failed to keep that promise. The legislation before us today takes a critical step in restoring that promise. This bill is a comprehensive approach to fixing the flaws that exist in claims decisions and in the structure at the Veterans Benefits Administration, the VBA.

The largest factors contributing to the claims backlogs are the broken culture and processes at the VA. There is a lack of accountability on raters, poor quality assurance measures, a broken work credit system, virtually no training for the VBA personnel, and an outdated information technology system.

H.R. 5892 squarely addresses these problems by creating a more accountable and accurate system that rewards raters for the quality of their work, and it holds them accountable for their mistakes, ensuring that claims are processed correctly the very first time.

I want to thank Chairman Hall for working with me to include specific language on mental health in the study of the readjustment schedule. Of those veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who have accessed VA care, 40 percent have sought mental health care. It is critical that any study on the rating schedule takes a good look at mental health conditions to ensure that those veterans receive fair compensation.

I am disappointed that we had to remove the original section 101 language from H.R. 5892, which provided a service connection presumption for post-traumatic stress disorder by clearly defining who was considered a ``combat veteran.'' The provision decreased the burden of proof for combat veterans, increasing their access to disability benefits.

I appreciate Mr. Hall's efforts to address this issue in separate legislation, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that it becomes law.

H.R. 5892 is a strong piece of legislation that will improve the way veterans' claims are processed. Again, I view this as a work in progress, and I look forward to continuing efforts until the backlog goes from 800,000 to zero.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1288) supporting the goals and ideals of National Campus Safety Awareness Month, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days in which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1288 into the Record.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1288, which recognizes September as the National Campus Safety Awareness Month. I urge colleges and universities from across the country to do what they can to prevent violence, crime and abuse on their campuses.

The campus safety movement started in the late 1980s, soon after the tragic death of a student at Lehigh University. On April 5, 1986, Jeanne Clery, a freshman at Lehigh, was beaten, raped and murdered in her dormitory room. The offender was another Lehigh student who tried to rob Jeanne as she slept in the room. The two did not know each other.

Clery's case brought college campus safety to the forefront when it exposed flaws in the reporting of crime information related to violence on the campus. At that time, violent and nonviolent incidents were reported to campus authorities, but administrators did not have to disclose the information.

In the aftermath of Ms. Clery's murder, her parents, Connie and Howard Clery, founded Security on Campus, Inc. to end violence on all college campuses. It is a unique, nonprofit grass roots organization dedicated to safe campuses for college and university students.

Security on Campus, Inc. partners with a number of colleges to offer educational programs on sexual assault, alcohol and drugs. Programs like Security on Campus, Inc. have done a lot to educate students about campus safety. They have partnered with over 150 colleges and universities from 42 States across this Nation.

More than 37 homicides and 8,112 forcible sex offenses were reported on college and university campuses from the year 2004 through 2006. Many of the violence and rape cases take place within the first few weeks of school.

As we commemorate National Campus Safety Awareness Month in September, let us focus our efforts on educating our students about campus safety. Students need to be reminded every year about practical precautions to increase their safety. Anyone can become a victim of a campus crime, and it is imperative that students are taught how to avoid dangerous situations.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for National Campus Safety Awareness Month, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 3 minutes to the author of this very important resolution that we're considering, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak).

I continue to reserve, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 901) congratulating University of Florida Quarterback Timothy ``Tim'' Tebow for winning the Heisman Trophy and honoring both his athletic and academic achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 901 into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate University of Florida quarterback Timothy ``Tim'' Tebow for winning the greatest recognition in college football, the Heisman Trophy, and to honor both his athletic and academic achievements.

Tim Tebow received the Heisman Trophy on December 8, 2007 and became the first sophomore to ever win the Heisman.

This award recognizes Tim Tebow's college football accomplishments and record-breaking season as he became the first player in college football history to run for at least 20 touchdowns and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in the same season. Tim set a new Southeastern Conference record with 51 total touchdowns in a single season. Rushing for 22 of those touchdowns, he set an all-time new national collegiate record for quarterbacks as well.

Although his rushing abilities inspired spectators and left his opponents confounded, his strong arm also contributed to a stellar athletic performance. Tim completed more than 68 percent of his passing attempts for a total of 3,132 yards during the 2007 season. He led the University of the Florida to a 9-3 record and helped the Gators lead the conference in scoring and total yardage.

Beyond the field, Tim Tebow has proven himself an astute student in the classroom. He has maintained a 3.77 grade point average while he has been at the University of Florida, and is only the fourth sophomore from the University of Florida to become a member of the Academic All- American First Team.

Tebow has exhibited exemplary character by carrying a torch of leadership off the football field to help those less fortunate. Tim has transcended simply being a football inspiration to his teammates and fans. He is also a philanthropic inspiration, regularly visiting orphanages and hospitals in the Philippines and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of the Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow, for an outstanding two years of athletic and academic performance. I urge all my colleagues to pass this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, as an Illini fan, I feel a little bit encircled here, but I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, just one quick note. This is a wonderful resolution for a wonderful young man, and nobody deserves it more than Tim Tebow. So I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1151) congratulating the University of Tennessee women's basketball team for winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women's Basketball Championship.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1151 into the Record.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University of Tennessee women's basketball team for their victory in the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball championship.

On April 8, women's basketball fans were treated to an exceptional game as the University of Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Stanford University Cardinal and clinched their eighth national title. The resounding 64-48 defeat marks back-to-back national titles for the Lady Vols.

I want to extend my congratulations to Head Coach Pat Summitt, Associate Head Coach Holly Warlick, and Assistant Coaches Dean Lockwood and Daedra Charles-Furlow. With 983 wins, Coach Summitt is the winningest NCAA basketball coach in both the men's and women's leagues.

At the onset of the season, Summitt also received the prestigious John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching lifetime achievement award. As the first female to receive this award, Summitt was recognized for her talents and hard work with her players both on and off the court. Thanks to the dedication of the entire coaching staff, the Lady Vols have an impressive track record of winning games and also boast an impressive 100 percent graduation rate for student athletes who completed their eligibility at the University.

Congratulations are also in order for forward Candace Parker, who was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four for the second year in a row. Parker, a junior from Naperville, Illinois, also broke the University of Tennessee's record for free throws made and attempted, and moved into third place at the University for single season scoring. In her tenure at the University of Tennessee, Parker has scored in double figures 105 times, and the championship game was the 44th game in a row that she completed this fete. Parker was also named the 2008 Naismith Women's College Player of the Year, and was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks as the first pick in the WNBA draft.

We must also congratulate Shannon Bobbit and Nicky Anosike who, along with Parker, rounded out the All-Final Four team. Bobbit, a senior from Manhattan, New York, moved into third place in the University of Tennessee's record books when she scored three three-pointers in the final game, for a total of 77 three-pointers in a single season. Anosike, a senior from Staten Island, New York, ranks fourth in steals in NCAA history, with 44 in her career, and tied for second in a championship game with six against the Cardinal.

The extraordinary achievement of this year is attributed to the skill and dedication of the many players, coaches, students, alumni, family, and fans that have helped make the University of Tennessee a basketball powerhouse. Winning the national championship, finishing the season with a 36-2 overall record, and winning the Southeastern Conference tournament title has once again brought national acclaim to the University of Tennessee. I know that fans of the University will revel in this accomplishment as they look forward to the 2009 season.

Madam Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Tennessee women's basketball team for their success.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time I will yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee, Representative John Tanner.

Madam Speaker, I urge that all my colleagues support this resolution for a wonderful basketball team, wonderful women, wonderful coaches and assistant coaches, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1332) recognizing the importance of connecting foster youth to the workforce through internship programs, and encouraging employers to increase employment of former foster youth.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1332 into the Record.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1332, which recognizes the importance of connecting foster youth to employment opportunities. The foster care system currently serves 500,000 youth. Out of those 500,000 foster youth, 25 percent of them become homeless within 18 months after aging out of the system. Many of these young people find themselves on the street with few resources. Not only are they without housing and a family support system, but they also lack work experience that can help them reverse their downward slide.

The resolution before us today points out the importance of connecting youth to the workforce through internship programs and, in particular, how foster kids can benefit from these opportunities.

Orphan Foundation of America's Intern American program offers foster youth top-tier internships, housing and professional development seminars here in our Nation's Capital. Some of these great internships coordinated by OFA's Intern American program are with Members of Congress, Fortune 500

companies and major not-for-profit organizations. These work experiences allow foster children to develop talents and increase their skill sets.

Young people who have early work experiences are better prepared to succeed in the workforce. Unfortunately, many foster youth are unaware of the opportunities to gain this experience. House Resolution 1332 encourages employers from all sectors to increase employment opportunities for young people who were in the foster care system.

Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the author of this House resolution that is so vital, Representative Cardoza from California.

Madam Speaker, again I just want to thank the author of this incredibly wonderful resolution, Representative Cardoza from California, and commend him for the hard work and dedication that he put into this effort.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the Record to reflect that I was unavoidably detained due to tornado-like conditions in my district in west-central Illinois.

If I had been present for rollcall votes, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 512, ``yea'' on rollcall 513, ``yea'' on rollcall 514, ``nay'' on rollcall 515, ``yea'' on rollcall 516, ``yea'' on rollcall 517, ``yea'' on rollcall 518, ``yea'' on rollcall 519, and ``yea'' on rollcall 520, and finally, Mr. Speaker, ``yea'' on rollcall 521.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of this amendment, and I commend my friend and colleague, Representative Dave Loebsack, for offering it during today's discussion on the National Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act.

Mr. Loebsack's district in Iowa and my district in Illinois both suffered major flooding in May and June with crests on the Mississippi River of over 500-year levels. As you can imagine, this caused great damage not only to our constituents' homes, farms and schools but also to bridges, roads and to other infrastructure in the flood impacted communities. This is the second 500-year flood to hit our region in the past 15 years.

Something must be done to improve public safety and to ensure minimal devastation from floods in the future. Mr. Loebsack's amendment would do just that by requiring the Transportation Secretary, in consultation with the States, to study the risks proposed by a 500-year flood to bridges on Federal-aid highways, on other public roads and on Indian reservations.

I believe the information we gather from this study will result in significant improvement to bridge safety and will help our river communities better prepare for flood disasters in the future. Examining more factors affecting public safety is the role of government, and it's good for our constituents.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill. Again, I thank my friend Mr. Loebsack for his leadership on this issue.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3195, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. I am very pleased that the House is considering this important legislation, and I urge our friends in the Senate to swiftly take action on it as well.

As it stands now, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) leaves too many Americans at an unfair disadvantage. Many workers who suffer from debilitating diseases such as epilepsy or cancer are being discriminated against in the workplace but are denied redress by the courts. No one should be denied employment or be fired from his or her job because of a disability, but the Supreme Court has on multiple occasions interpreted the law in a way that opens the door to this possibility. In fact, plaintiffs lost 97 percent of ADA employment discrimination claims in 2004 alone, often due to the interpretation of the definition of ``disability.''

The starkest demonstration of this problem is found in Toyota Motor Manufacturing v. Williams, which the Supreme Court considered in 2002. The majority decision in this case held that the ADA's language regarding the extent of disability must be strictly interpreted so that legal protections from discrimination would apply only to those whose disabilities are long-term or permanent, and substantially limit their ability to perform routine tasks.

This was not the intent of the ADA. Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 to clearly and comprehensively eliminate discrimination against all individuals with disabilities. Since that time, the ADA has transformed our Nation, helping millions of Americans with disabilities succeed in the workplace, and making transportation, housing, buildings, and services more accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The bill we are considering today restores the original intent of Congress by rejecting the Supreme Court decisions that have reduced protections for people with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the definition of ``disability'' to include what it means to be ``substantially limited in a major life activity.'' The legislation also prohibits the consideration of mitigating measures such as medication, prosthetics, and assistive technology in determining whether an individual has a disability, and provides coverage to people who experience discrimination based on a perception of impairment regardless of whether the individual does in fact have a disability.

The most important factor for a court to weigh in on a discrimination case should be the allegation itself--not the extent or nature of a worker's disability. This is not what every day Americans stand for, and this is not what Congress meant when the law was originally enacted.

By more clearly defining the term ``disabled,'' we will be able to free up the courts in the future to focus on alleged acts of discrimination and better protect the American workers for whom this law was enacted.

I urge my colleagues to join the broad coalition of civil rights groups, disability advocates, and employer trade organizations who support this bill and vote with me to stop discrimination against individuals with disabilities by restoring the original intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act.