A resolution recognizing and honoring the 27th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v L.C.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 790
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Law
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-24: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3216-3217)
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T17:49:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This Senate resolution recognizes and honors the 27th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1999 decision in Olmstead v. L.C.. It affirms the ruling’s requirement that states provide qualified individuals with disabilities the option to receive long-term services in community settings rather than institutions. It also condemns a June 2026 Department of Justice opinion that rejects this requirement and criticizes recent and proposed reductions in Medicaid funding.
Key Provisions
- Recognizes the anniversary of the Olmstead decision and its role in prohibiting unnecessary institutionalization under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
- Salutes efforts to expand home- and community-based services.
- Affirms the decision’s importance in ending unjustified segregation.
- Condemns the Department of Justice’s June 18, 2026, opinion as incorrect and out of step with court interpretations.
- Condemns cuts to the Medicaid program, including work-reporting requirements, that could limit access to community services.
- Calls on the Department of Justice to rescind its opinion immediately.
- Urges Congress to work in a bipartisan way to reverse the largest Medicaid cut in history and increase funding for home- and community-based services.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The resolution introduces no new legal requirements or amendments to statutes. It is a non-binding expression of Senate views that seeks to reinforce existing interpretations of the ADA and section 504 without altering their text.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: It pressures the Department of Justice to withdraw its opinion and could influence future enforcement of integration rules by federal agencies.
- On citizens: It highlights ongoing support for individuals with disabilities seeking community-based care, potentially affecting access to Medicaid-funded services.
- On states: It underscores the continued obligation to offer community alternatives under existing law, though the resolution itself creates no new mandates.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with disabilities and their families who rely on home- and community-based services.
- State governments that administer Medicaid long-term care programs.
- The Department of Justice and other federal agencies responsible for enforcing disability rights laws.
- Congress, as the resolution calls for legislative action on Medicaid funding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The resolution reaffirms the integration mandate from Olmstead as settled law under the ADA and section 504, while directly challenging an executive branch interpretation. It carries political weight as a bipartisan Senate statement but has no binding legal effect. The document notes that the challenged opinion conflicts with decades of court rulings and prior federal guidance.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (14)
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-24: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3216-3217)
- 2026-06-24: Submitted in Senate
Bill Versions
- Recognizing and honoring the 27th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C. — issued 2026-06-24 — PDF (5 pages)