March 18,1999

Roth Cheers House Introduction of Bill to Help Disabled

Senate Bill Approved by Finance Committee March 4

WASHINGTON -- Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. (R-DE) today applauded the House introduction of legislation to help individuals with disabilities go to work. He released the following statement:

"For the past several months, I have been working aggressively with Senators Moynihan, Jeffords, and Kennedy on legislation to help individuals with disabilities go to work, if they so choose.

"Our bill, S. 331, has already made dramatic progress in working its way through the Senate. The Finance Committee, which I chair, endorsed the bill on March 4th by a 16 to 2 vote, and S. 331 is now ready for consideration by the full Senate. A total of 69 Senators are sponsors of our legislation.

"Today, I congratulate Reps. Lazio, Waxman, Bliley, Dingell, Bilirakis, Brown, Johnson, and Matsui for joining with us in our efforts to remove barriers to employment that stifle the creativity and industry of millions of Americans eager to work. I congratulate them on the introduction of companion legislation to S.331, and I am eager to see it move quickly through the House.

"I am particularly pleased that the House is following the Senate's lead in making this a bipartisan initiative. Our bill is bringing together members of Congress across party lines to make the American dream accessible to all our citizens."