Press Releases
Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami
202-226-7616
06/23/2008
Pelosi, Hoyer and Boehner Announce Plans to Increase Accessibility in the House Chamber
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Republican Leader John Boehner today announced plans to remove barriers to access in the House Chamber. The leaders have directed that the House chamber's podium be equipped with lifts, allowing increased access to the Speaker’s rostrum of the House of Representatives.
"As the House prepares to vote on essential legislation concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act this week, we continue our efforts to make access in the Capitol a priority," Speaker Pelosi said. "Our commitment to a barrier-free workplace sends an invaluable message to all Americans that the House will lead by example."
"Increasing access in the House Chamber is critical to ensuring that all Members can participate fully and equally,” said Majority Leader Hoyer. “As the House takes up legislation regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act this week, there is no more appropriate thing we can do than to continue our efforts to open the Capitol building to all."
Republican Leader Boehner said: "Since Congress requires businesses across the country to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, it is fitting that we should follow the rules we set for others. That is why making the Speaker's rostrum more accessible is an important symbol of our understanding that we must ask Americans to do as we do, not just as we say."
"I applaud the Speaker, Majority and Minority Leaders for making this improvement to the podium so that any member of Congress may have the honor of presiding over the U.S. House of Representatives," said Congressman Jim Langevin of Rhode Island. "I have long said that I may be the first quadriplegic in Congress, but I certainly won't be the last, and I know this change will benefit many in the future. Improvements such as this one should stand as a reminder both of how far we have come in including everyone in our Democratic process and how far we still need to go."
Nearly 18 years ago, with the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), this nation committed to removing barriers that had too long denied Americans with disabilities full and equal access to all aspects of American society. This week, the House will consider legislation to help realize the full promise of the ADA and to reaffirm the law's broad protections.
The renovations in the House Chamber, which will be completed by the Architect of the Capitol, are expected to be completed this year. The work builds on the House’s efforts to increase accessibility in the House Office Buildings and the Capitol, including the construction of the fully ADA-compliant Capitol Visitor Center, which will open late this year.