Disability Rights Treaty Gains Support
In a rare show of bipartisan support, a group of senators said they want the United States to ratify an international convention on the rights of people with disabilities.
The U.S. already signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, but approval from the U.S. Senate is needed to make the move official.
President Barack Obama transmitted the treaty to the Senate earlier this month and asked the body to ratify it.
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Now, a group of seven senators representing both political parties is voicing support for the treaty as well.
“All people deserve to be granted full and equal basic human rights, regardless of their physical or mental capabilities. I strongly support ratification of this critical treaty, and urge my colleagues to do the same,” said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.
The treaty calls for greater community access and a better standard of living for the estimated 650 million people around the world with disabilities.
In addition to Coons, other lawmakers coming out in support of the convention include Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa; Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.; and Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.
Currently, 153 countries have signed the disability treaty and 112 have ratified it, according to the U.N.
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