Recognizing the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities made possible by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and calling for further action to strengthen and expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in work and community life.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 602
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-16T12:51:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 602) commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, a landmark law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and promotes their full participation in society. It highlights the ADA's achievements in enabling independent living and economic self-sufficiency while urging continued efforts to address ongoing barriers, such as employment gaps, inaccessible services, and segregation.
Key Provisions
The resolution is structured around background "Whereas" clauses that outline historical context, current challenges, and the ADA's foundational role, followed by a "Resolved" section with specific pledges and calls to action:
- Recognition and Celebration: Affirms the ADA's importance in fostering equal opportunity, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; encourages nationwide celebration of its progress toward inclusion.
- Bipartisan Commitment: Pledges House support to identify and remove barriers, especially for those in segregated institutions, through collaborative efforts.
- State and Federal Collaboration: Urges states to expand access to home- and community-based services (non-institutional support like personal care at home) to boost employment.
- Agency-Specific Calls:
- Department of Labor (DOL): Develop policies, practices, and technical assistance (expert guidance) to promote economic self-sufficiency; its Office of Disability Employment Policy should coordinate with employers and governments to enhance job opportunities.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Provide resources for equitable access to communications and telecom technologies.
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Offer guidance on home- and community-based services to support independent living.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Ensure accessible housing and inclusive communities.
- Department of Transportation (DOT): Improve accessible transit, airports, and workforce hiring for people with disabilities.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Advance inclusive emergency preparedness using a "whole community" approach (involving all societal groups).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
As a non-binding resolution, this document does not amend or create new laws. It reaffirms the ADA as a minimum standard ("floor, not ceiling") and builds on prior rulings like Olmstead v. L.C. (1999), a Supreme Court decision that requires states to provide community-based services over institutionalization when appropriate. No enforceable changes are introduced.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Raises awareness of persistent issues like poverty (affecting nearly 25% of people with disabilities), unemployment, healthcare barriers (especially for women and people of color), and disaster vulnerabilities; could indirectly encourage better access to jobs, housing, healthcare, and emergency services, particularly for those impacted by Long COVID or institutional segregation.
- On Government Agencies: Prompts DOL, FCC, HHS, HUD, DOT, and FEMA to prioritize disability inclusion through policies and assistance, potentially leading to improved programs without mandating them.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it reinforces U.S. leadership in disability rights, aligning with global standards like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- Broader Society: May foster cultural shifts toward reducing "ableism" (systemic bias against disabled people) in workplaces, technology, and communities, benefiting an estimated 1 in 4 Americans with disabilities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with Disabilities: Primary beneficiaries, including those facing compounded barriers due to race, gender, or conditions like Long COVID; emphasis on economic self-sufficiency and community integration.
- Government Agencies and Officials: DOL, FCC, HHS, HUD, DOT, FEMA, and state governments tasked with enhancing services and policies.
- Employers and Businesses: Encouraged to improve accessible workplaces and hiring practices.
- Communities and Families: Involved in supporting inclusion, with calls for collective action to uphold ADA goals.
- Marginalized Groups: People of color with disabilities, women, and those in institutional settings, who face disproportionate challenges in healthcare, education, housing, and employment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the ADA's interpretive framework by echoing Olmstead's anti-segregation mandate and positioning the ADA as an evolving commitment rather than a static law; no new litigation triggers, but it could support future enforcement efforts.
- Constitutional: Aligns with equal protection under the 14th Amendment by addressing discrimination and promoting dignity, independence, and participation—core civil rights principles—without challenging existing precedents.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan House unity (introduced by Reps. Fitzpatrick and Dingell) on disability issues, signaling potential for cross-aisle policy advancements; referred to multiple committees (Education and Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services) for review, which may influence future binding legislation amid ongoing debates on federal spending for social services.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, 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 Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, 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 Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, 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 Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, 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 Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, 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 importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities made possible by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and calling for further action to strengthen and expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in work and community life. — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (6 pages)