[Nfb-hi] Portmans Amendment Soundly Defeated

[STAN YOUNG]

Senator Portman's

 Amendment 1742 to S.1813

Soundly Defeated

 

-------------------Original Message From -----------------------------------------------

 Nicky Gacos,  President, National Association of Blind Merchants

                                                National Federation of the Blind

 

Today in the US Senate Amendment 1742 was defeated by a vote of 86-12-2.  Below listed are the 2 senators who did not vote and the 12 who voted for the amendment.  Please distribute and have all call their senators who voted against this amendment and thank them. 

 

Sen. Hatch, R Utah and Sen. Kirk, R Illinois did not vote.

 

The twelve that voted Yea     (AGAINST BLIND ENTREPRENEURS)

Sen. Kyl, R Arizona

Sen. McCain, R. Arizona

Sen. Lieberman, Id, Connecticut

Sen. Carper, D. Delaware

Sen. Coons, D. Delaware

Sen. Crapo, R. Idaho

Sen. Risch, R. Idaho

Sen. Coats, R. Indianna

Sen. Portman, R. Ohio

Sen. Toomey, R. Pennsylvania

Sen. Ayotte, R. New Hampshire

Sen. Murkowski, R. Alaska

 

------ CALL YOUR SENATORS WHO VOTED "Nay"   TO THANK THEM----------------

For Hawaii:

Akaka, Daniel K. (D-HI)

Arun    Revana           ,  Legislative Assistant

(202) 224-6361           FAX(202) 224-2126           arun_revana at akaka.senate.gov

 

 Inouye, Dan (D-HI)    

Coti-Lynne      Haia ,  Legislative Assistant  

 (202) 224-3934        FAX (202) 224-6747            coti-lynne_haia at inouye.senate.gov

 

For all the other 86 Senators who voted "Nay" call:      the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 

-----------------Original Message Sent by:---------------------------------------------------

Terry C. Smith

Business Opportunity Specialist 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

 

Dear Friends and Colleagues: 

Victory feels good--especially such a decisive one.  Congratulations to everyone who played such a crucial role in helping defeat the Portman Amendment to the transportation bill that would have allowed commercialization of the interstate rest areas.  The amendment, if enacted, would have meant the displacement of hundreds of blind entrepreneurs and would have been financially devastating to several business enterprise programs.  

 

I was once again amazed at the avid advocacy by the National Federation of the Blind.  Jesse Hartle, John Paré, and Chris Danielsen in the national office did yeoman's work.  The press releases, well placed media accounts, and personalized letters that went to every U.S. senator paid huge dividends.  And what a job by Nicky Gacos and Kevan Worley of the National Association of Blind Merchants in rounding up grassroots support in the blind entrepreneur community.  Senators in every state heard from their blind constituents and their voices were heard.  

 

I also want to thank all of those who joined in with the NFB in this fight.  First and foremost, my heartfelt appreciation goes out to Catriona Macdonald, Sean Whalen, and Michael Jones with the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind.  The partnership between the NFB and the NCSAB is strong and played a significant role in this fight to protect the livelihoods of blind entrepreneurs.  

 

In this fight, we were fortunate to have allies in the business world who saw this amendment as a dangerous threat to small businesses.  The National Restaurant Association, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, National Automatic Merchandising Association, and the National Association of Convenience and Fuel Retailing, among others, worked just as tirelessly to help defeat this amendment.  Their efforts are greatly appreciated.  

 

The voices of the blind have once again been heard.  But this is just one victory.  Threats to the Randolph-Sheppard Program continue to mount and we may face this commercialization challenge again when the bill goes to the House.  It will take the same kind of concerted effort; so don't get too comfortable.  For now, we relish in our victory but prepare for the next challenge that would deny blind entrepreneurs the ability to live the American Dream.  

 

Thank you!

 

Terry C. Smith