Recognizing the need to improve physical access to many federally funded facilities for all people of the United States, particularly people with disabilities.
- Bill Number
- H.Con.Res. 45
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:42:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 45) aims to acknowledge ongoing barriers to physical access in federally funded facilities for people with disabilities and to reaffirm Congress's commitment to laws promoting accessibility. It emphasizes equality in public spaces, drawing on constitutional principles and recent data on disabilities, to encourage inclusive design in federal projects.
Key Provisions
- Recognition of Barriers: Congress recognizes that people with disabilities face daily access challenges in federally funded facilities.
- Reaffirmation of Existing Laws: It supports full compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (a law requiring certain federally funded buildings to be accessible to people with disabilities) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (a comprehensive civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in areas like employment, public services, and accommodations).
- Pledge for Inclusive Design: Congress commits to making "universal and inclusive design" (design that works for all people, regardless of ability) a core principle in future infrastructure bills and projects, and to work on removing barriers to federal services.
The resolution includes extensive background "Whereas" clauses highlighting:
- The First Amendment's protection of the right to peaceably assemble, which implies equal access for all.
- Statistics on disabilities (e.g., 1 in 4 U.S. adults, higher rates among veterans and people of color, and doubled unemployment for those with disabilities).
- Advances in technology (e.g., automatic doors) and recent guidelines from the U.S. Access Board (a federal agency that sets accessibility standards) for public rights-of-way, adopted by the Department of Transportation in 2024.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding concurrent resolution, meaning it expresses Congress's opinion but does not create new laws, amend existing statutes, or impose enforceable requirements. It does not introduce changes but instead reinforces and encourages adherence to current laws like the Architectural Barriers Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies involved in funding or building infrastructure (e.g., Departments of Transportation, Justice, and others) may face increased pressure to prioritize accessibility in planning and compliance, potentially leading to more audits or guideline adoptions without new mandates.
- On Citizens: People with disabilities (over 70 million U.S. adults, including veterans) could benefit from heightened awareness and future improvements in access to public spaces like sidewalks, transit stops, and buildings, promoting greater participation in society, employment, and community activities.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it aligns U.S. policy with global standards on disability rights, potentially strengthening the country's image in international human rights discussions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- People with Disabilities: Primary beneficiaries, including the aging population, veterans (5.5 million with service-connected disabilities), and communities of color with higher disability rates.
- Federal and State/Local Governments: Agencies overseeing federally funded projects (e.g., U.S. Access Board, Department of Transportation) and local entities building public infrastructure.
- Advocacy Groups and Congress Members: Sponsors (e.g., Rep. Hayes and co-sponsors) and organizations focused on disability rights, who may use this to push for future legislation.
- General Public: All citizens, as improved access enhances safety and convenience for everyone, including those without disabilities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on enforceable frameworks like the Americans with Disabilities Act (which could incorporate recent Access Board guidelines as standards) but lacks binding force itself; it may indirectly support litigation by signaling congressional intent for accessibility.
- Constitutional: Ties accessibility to First Amendment rights (e.g., assembly and petitioning government), framing equal access as a matter of free speech and participation in democracy, without challenging or altering constitutional interpretations.
- Political: Serves as a bipartisan signal (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) of support for disability rights amid demographic shifts (e.g., aging population), potentially influencing budget priorities and infrastructure bills like those for transportation. It highlights ongoing enforcement gaps 35 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act, urging proactive policy without partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (16)
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-24: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Submitted in House
- 2025-07-23: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the need to improve physical access to many federally funded facilities for all people of the United States, particularly people with disabilities. — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (4 pages)