“Don’t look at me with pity. I earned this wheelchair. I own this wheelchair. I’m proud of it, and I’m going to use it to get places a hell of a lot faster than you could ever run.”
Those are the words of Senator Tammy Duckworth at the launch of CAP’s new Disability Justice Initiative yesterday, in conjunction with the 28th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
It’s fitting that CAP’s new disability project is launching in the same week as the ADA anniversary. But a big part of why CAP is taking this step is in recognition that people with disabilities cannot and must not be relegated to a single day on the calendar.
People with disabilities still face poverty rates nearly three times higher than people without disabilities; are disproportionately more likely to live and work in conditions that are hazardous to their health and are especially vulnerable to extreme weather events; and are hugely overrepresented in our nation’s prisons and jails.
So today, let’s commemorate 28 years of the ADA. But when we wake up tomorrow, and the day after that, let’s recommit daily to the work of building a truly inclusive progressive movement that doesn’t relegate people with disabilities to one day on the calendar.
Find out more about CAP’s new Disability Justice Initiative and join the conversation by following @CAPDisability and #DisabilityAtCAP.
JIM JORDAN: THE ESSENTIAL HOUSE REPUBLICAN
One of the leaders of the House GOP’s Russia cover-up is running to be speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Jim Jordan is an Ohio congressman known for his single-minded determination to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
After an embarrassing hearing in which he (poorly) attempted to question Rosenstein, Jordan remains steadfast in his crusade against the Russia investigation.
Jordan also faces recent accusations that ignored alleged sexual abuse by a team doctor during his time as a wrestling coach at Ohio State.
Jordan is challenging House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy for the top spot and though most think he’s an underdog, his attacks on the Russia investigation do give him one contrast with McCarthy. Despite now being a loyal follower, it was McCarthy who once said, “There’s two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump.”
If this is the cream of the Republican crop, we’re unimpressed.
Plus, if Jordan gets elected speaker, expect even more attacks on Robert Mueller’s investigation, and get ready to defend the Russia investigation by finding a rapid response event near you.
NUMBER OF THE DAY: $1 TRILLION
Let’s have a round of applause for Trump and his cronies in Congress.
Thanks to your friendly GOP and their massive tax scam, the federal deficit will skyrocket its way to $1 trillion even faster than economists had predicted.
And who is benefitting? Not middle- and working-class families, that’s for sure. Wage growth is flat or even falling, but never fear—according to one Congressional Republican, the tax cuts somehow already paid for themselves.
STAND UP FOR PRE-EXISTING CONDITION PROTECTIONS
More than 130 million Americans have pre-existing conditions. The Trump Administration wants to take away their health care coverage, but elected leaders should listen to the American people.
A new poll shows that 64% of voters do not want the Supreme Court to overturn protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions.
A vote for Judge Brett Kavanaugh is a vote to against health care for more than 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. Go to SaveScotusToolkit.org today, and tell your Senators to reject Trump’s extremist nominee.