[nfb-talk] Vote on U.N. disability treaty blocked

[Sherri]

Just passing on. Don't want to start a debate!

Sherri

Vote On UN Disability Treaty Blocked

By Michelle Diament | September 17, 2014
An objection from a Republican senator Wednesday derailed an attempt to 
bring a vote on ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights 
of Persons
with Disabilities. (Thinkstock)

An objection from a Republican senator Wednesday derailed an attempt to 
bring a vote on ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights 
of Persons
with Disabilities. (Thinkstock)

An effort in the U.S. Senate to bring a vote on an international disability 
rights treaty has been squashed.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, took to the Senate floor Wednesday calling for a 
unanimous consent vote on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of 
Persons
with Disabilities.

The senator requested two hours of debate on the treaty with no amendments 
followed by an up-or-down vote much like the Senate did two years ago.

Within minutes, however, the plan was shot down with an objection from Sen. 
Mike Lee, R-Utah, who said that two hours of debate was insufficient and 
indicated
that amendments should be allowed.

"There are a number of our colleagues, both on and off the committee, who 
have concerns with this treaty," Lee said.

The U.N. Convention, which establishes an international standard for 
disability rights similar to what's already in place domestically through 
the Americans
with Disabilities Act, was signed by the United States in 2009, but Senate 
approval is needed for ratification and official participation.

The treaty is broadly supported by disability advocates and many civil 
rights, faith, business and veterans organizations. However, critics 
spearheaded
by the Home School Legal Defense Association contend that the treaty would 
compromise U.S. sovereignty.

A previous effort in 2012 to ratify the U.N. Convention
failed
 in the Senate on a largely party-lines vote.

Harkin said it was "another sad, irresponsible day in the U.S. Senate" after 
Lee's objection derailed his hope for a new vote.

Earlier this week, the United Nations announced that 150 countries have 
ratified the disability treaty.


Sherri

Character is the side of yourself you choose to show the world.
Integrity is what you do, what you say and how you act when you think no one 
is paying attention.
Sherri Brun
NFBF Newsline Chair
flmom2006 at gmail.com