Tag Archives for Americans with Disabilities Act

Veteran Lawmaker Steny Hoyer Bids Farewell After 45 Years in Congress

 Published in RINewsToday on January 12, 2026

 According to Ballotpedia’s tracker of incumbents not seeking re-election in 2026, 20 House lawmakers are retiring at the end of this Congress, 17 of whom are age 50 or older. Last week, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), a long-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his retirement and now joins Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)—all of whom served in House leadership and have announced their decisions not to seek another term—in departing Capitol Hill.

On Jan. 8th Hoyer addressed the House chamber announcing to his colleagues of his plans to retire. Choking up at times during his remarks, he reflected on his 45 years of serving his constituents and expressed concern about the direction of the House.

He began his remarks by looking back at a pivotal moment in 1959 when he attended University of Maryland at College Park, that would push him into public service —hearing John F. Kennedy speak at a spring convocation.  A week later after Kennedy’s speech the young college student would change his major from business to political science.  Looking back, Hoyer noted that this two hour encounter led to a 60-year career in public service.

Hoyer, who has held top Democratic leadership positions including House Majority Leader, reflected on his nearly 45 years in the House, contrasting the collegial, bipartisan atmosphere when he first arrived in 1981, under the leaders of Rep. Tip O’Neill (D-MA) and Rep. Bob Michael (R-IL)  with the current state of divisiveness and partisan bickering.

The Maryland Congressman, representing Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District, expressed concern that the House was failing to meet its constitutional responsibilities that the first article of the Constitution demands and warned that the nation was heading towards “smallness” and “pettiness.” He concluded by calling on his colleagues to work together to pass appropriation bills in a bipartisan, timely fashion to keep the government open, thanking his family and colleagues, and reaffirming his gratitude for his long, productive career.

Taking a Look at Aging and Health Care Issues   

While serving as House Majority Leader, Hoyer played a key role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by overseeing debates, managing Democratic floor strategy and building public support. The ACA expanded access to affordable health insurance, prohibited denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, allowed young adults to stay on parents’ plans to age 26, and greatly expanded preventive services coverage.

Hoyer would steer the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to overwhelming final approval in the lower chamber by negotiating legislative language in the bill and building bipartisan consensus.  This landmark legislation, signed into law on July 26, 1990 by Republican President George H.W. Bush, prohibited discrimination based on disability and greatly expanded accessibility in employment, public service, transportation, and places of public accommodation for millions of disabled Americans.

Eighteen years later, he would lead the House efforts to pass the ADA Amendments Act, which strengthened and clarified the original law’s protections to ensure that it would be broadly as intended, benefiting millions of Americans with disabilities.

The long-time Congressman has been a strong defender of Social Security and Medicare, tirelessly opposing privatization and advocating long-term solvency to ensure benefits for current and future retirees. He supported funding and modernization efforts that improve Medicare efficiency and access to providers for seniors.

Hoyer also helped to bring major health care-related legislation to the House floor during the pandemic.  He successfully pushed for passage The American Rescue Plan, that would fund COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic health responses and that now has lowered prescription drug costs of some medications.

Hoyer also hosted events and roundtables highlighting mental health care investments (like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), reflecting ongoing engagement with health challenges affecting adults and seniors.

Kudos from Legislative Colleagues and Friends

Former Rhode Island Congressman James Langevin, now Distinguished Chair of Rhode Island College’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, remembers working alongside Steny Hoyer in Congress. “He was a good friend and respected colleague, but my relationship with him actually began before I was even sworn in,” he says. “He was an original author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which opened doors for people with disabilities and empowered me to run for office.”

“When I was elected, Steny worked tirelessly to ensure I had the resources and accommodations I needed to transition to Washington and succeed as the first quadriplegic member of Congress. For Steny, accessibility was personal. I always knew that whatever I needed, Steny would make it happen. His departure from the House is a great loss for the institution, but I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” adds Langevin.

Rhode Island’s junior Congressman Gabe Amo also praised Hoyer’s service. “Steny Hoyer has been a steadfast champion of Marylanders and the American people, serving our country and Congress with integrity and conviction,” says Amo. “He was one of the first calls I received after I won the 2023 special election, and he welcomed me with open arms when I arrived in Congress.”

Amo considered Hoyer a trusted mentor who helped guide him as a newly elected member. “He always celebrated the wins we secured for Rhode Island—especially the infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” he notes.

According to Amo, Hoyer frequently mentioned his Rhode Island ties, sharing fond memories of his law school classmate, former Warwick Mayor Joe Walsh, and his long-time friend Congressman Langevin. “Steny is a stalwart public servant, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. He will be deeply missed in the halls of Congress,” Amo says.

Rep. Seth Magaziner offered similar praise. “Steny Hoyer is not only a congressional legend with many legislative accomplishments, he is a living reminder that politics does not have to be partisan and uncivil. He is well respected on both sides of the aisle, and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve with him,” says Magaziner.

Robert “Bob” Blancato, President of Matzo, Blancato and Associates who served as former Staff Director of the House Aging Committees’ Subcommittee on Human Services, calls Hoyer one of the strongest Democratic leaders of the past 45 years. “During his time as Majority Leader, he stewarded landmark legislation—such as the Affordable Care Act—through the House and later its final passage through Congress,” he notes.

“As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, he helped ensure aging programs received priority funding even in difficult times. He was a gentleman legislator, and his level of service in Congress will be hard to duplicate,” says Blancato.

Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and former staff director of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, views Hoyer as a committed advocate for older Americans. “Steny has always been very accessible to the seniors’ advocacy community. He kept an open mind on the issues we care about. I have known him a very long time and personally liked him. He will be missed.”

Looking back, when President George W. Bush declared his intention to privatize Social Security after his re-election in 2004, Steny brought advocates together for regular strategy sessions to protect the program, says Richtman. “He united the advocacy community and helped orchestrate the defeat of Bush’s privatization plan. That’s a prime example of the leadership Steny provided,” he says.

Like Richtman, Robert Weiner, former Staff Director of the U.S. House Select Committee on Aging, recognized Hoyer’s effort to stop the privatization of Social Security — and helped in the regaining of the House majority as a result.  “During his time in Democratic House leadership, he never lost a bill he scheduled or brought to the floor for a vote,” says Weiner.

Weiner, who served with Hoyer as national officer in Young Democrats in the 70’s, remembers  Hoyer chairing weekly meetings with committee members and issue leaders to gauge party sentiments and anticipate votes, shaping House agendas. “At his recent birthday “Bull Roast” he invited me to, Hoyer discussed “bringing bills to the floor,” setting calendars, and securing votes. His foresight — and passionate House floor speeches — consistently assured favorable results.

The end of a 60-year career in public service with a dedication to senior friendly issues will keep his memory strong in Congress.

Voter reform must include accessibility for seniors and persons with disabilities

Published in RINewsToday on May 17, 2021

It’s over 540 days until the November 8, 2022 mid-term elections. The clock is ticking, say voter rights advocates, who are gearing up to push back at voting bills they see as restrictive being introduced at multiple state houses.  

As of March 24, 2021, GOP State legislators, responding to claims of voter fraud and election irregularities in last year’s Presidential election, have introduced 361 bills seen as restrictive by voter rights advocates in 47 states. “That’s 108 more than the 253 similar bills tallied as of February 19, 2021 — a 43 percent increase in little more than a month,” according to data compiled by the New York-based Brennan Center for Justice.

“These measures have begun to be enacted. Five restrictive bills have already been signed into law. In addition, at least 55 restrictive bills in 24 states are moving through legislatures: 29 have passed at least one chamber, while another 26 have had some sort of committee action (e.g., a hearing, an amendment, or a committee vote),” says the nonpartisan law and policy institute, noting that in some cases “a single bill can have provisions with both restrictive and expansive effects”.

President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats are pushing back at GOP efforts they see as “suppressing voting” and introduced H.R. 1, For the People Act, which would be intended to “expand voting rights, change campaign finance laws, end partisan gerrymandering and create new ethics for federal lawmakers”.  The bill is considered to be the largest overhaul of U.S. voting in a generation, and is opposed by GOP lawmakers, who call it overreaching.

Fix Voter Access Issues for Seniors, and Persons with Disabilities

Although newspapers regularly cover both voter security and voter rights issues, voter access issues impacting seniors and persons with disabilities don’t receive adequate ink. 

Now, a national report’s findings reveal that some obstacles still exist for disabled voters at the polls. The recently released U.S. Election Commission (EAC)’s comprehensive 52-page national report, “Disability and Voting Accessibility in the 2020 Elections,” identified accessibility issues for voters with disabilities.  The study focused on polling place access, mail and absentee voting accessibility, election administration challenges, COVID-19 obstacles, and community involvement.

As the EAC plans for future elections, this data will be crucial in helping officials adopt new voting technologies and address the ever-growing accessibility needs of an aging demographic.

“In an election year with so many obstacles and unknowns, the improvement in accessibility for voters with disabilities is a testament to the hard work and dedication of election officials,” EAC Chairman Ben Hovland said, in a February 16, 2021 statement announcing the release of the report. “We are proud of election officials’ accomplishments during an especially difficult election season. This study provides the EAC with indispensable feedback as we continue our work with election officials and accessibility experts to ensure all Americans can vote privately and independently,” he said.

The EAC spearheaded the study under clearinghouse and research mandates outlined in the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The goal of the study was to analyze the 2020 election experience for voters with disabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on a similar 2012 study also conducted by the EAC in conjunction with Professors Schur and Kruse, of Rutgers University, the project launched immediately after the 2020 general election.

The 2020 study engaged 2,569 respondents including 1,782 voters with disabilities and 787 voters without disabilities. As in 2012, the oversampling of voters with disabilities was designed to produce a sample large enough for more accurate measurements and reliable breakdowns by demographic variables and type of disability.

Compared to 2012, overall results show election officials made great progress serving voters with disabilities and ensuring they could cast a private and independent ballot. Obstacles continue to exist, but improvements were evident.

According to the researchers, voting difficulties among people with disabilities declined markedly from 2012 to 2020. About one in nine voters with disabilities encountered difficulties voting in 2020. This is double the rate of people without disabilities, but a sizeable drop from 2012.

The study’s findings indicated that among people with disabilities who voted in person, 18 percent reported difficulties, compared to 10 percent of people without disabilities. The disability figure is down from 30 percent in 2012.

During a general election that experienced a shift to mail and absentee voting, 5 percent of voters with disabilities had difficulties using a mail ballot, compared to 2 percent of voters without disabilities. One in seven (14 percent) of voters with disabilities using a mail ballot needed assistance or encountered problems in voting, compared to only 3 percent of those without disabilities. 

The researchers found that five of six (83 percent) of voters with disabilities voted independently without any difficulty in 2020, compared to over nine of ten (92 percent) of voters without disabilities. Voting difficulties were most common among people with vision and cognitive impairments.

Close to 75 percent of voters with disabilities voted with a mail ballot or early in-person in 2020. This represents a significant increase from 2012 and is higher than the two-thirds of non-disabled voters who did so in 2020, say the researchers. No doubt the pandemic influenced the increase.

Finally, the researchers note that people with disabilities voted at a 7 percent lower rate than people without disabilities of the same age, pointing toward a continuing disability gap in voter turnout.

Senate Moves to Remove Barriers for Seniors and Disabled

Last month, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules & Administration, introduced the Accessible Voting Act, legislation to remove barriers to voting for seniors and people with disabilities.  This legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Notably, an all Democratic sponsorship at this time.

This legislative action was triggered by a Government Accountability Study that found that combined deficiencies in architectural and voting booth access resulted in only 17 percent of polling places being fully accessible in 2016. The Accessible Voting Act would make polling places and voting systems more accessible, expand options for casting a ballot in federal elections and establish an Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission, dedicated to overseeing and supporting state efforts to make voting more accessible.

“The right to vote is one of the fundamental pillars of American democracy. That right is jeopardized when seniors and people with disabilities are pushed to the margins by barriers that prevent or make it hard for them to cast their ballots,” said Senator Casey in a statement announcing the introduction of the bill. “The Accessible Voting Act would remove these barriers and support the ongoing efforts by state and local agencies to make voting a truly equitable and accessible process,” he said.

“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, but exercising that right is not possible for too many Americans. Inaccessible polling places and voting booths, limited access to transportation, insufficient options for casting ballots, and inaccessible voter information websites are all obstacles to voting for millions of Americans,” adds Klobuchar. “The Accessible Voting Act would help ensure that we remove barriers to voting for citizens with disabilities, the elderly, Native Americans, and those with limited English proficiency. Our democracy works best when all citizens can make their voices heard at the ballot box,” she said.

“Despite existing federal law protecting the rights of people with disabilities, far too often, these rights are overlooked and forgotten in our electoral process. The Accessible Voting Act seeks to bolster the protections for voters with disabilities, as established by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Help America Vote Act, and ensure equitable access to every American voter in our democracy for years to come,” said Curt Decker, executive director, National Disability Rights Network.

The Accessible Voting Act would create a national resource center on accessible voting to conduct cultural competency training for election officials and poll workers.  It would establish a new state grant program for the Office of Accessibility to provide dedicated funding to improve accessibility to voting. Finally, it would provide voting information and resources through accessible websites so voters know how to register to vote and cast a ballot.

As Congress grapples with legislation coming from both parties to tighten voter security on one hand, and ease voter restrictions on the other, it will be a significant failure to not also address the issues of accessibility for our population facing aging and disability obstacles.