Topics in the News: Disabled Rights
Mitt Romney on Education
: Oct 3, 2012
Let IDEA and Title I funds follow disabled child
Q: Does the federal government have a responsibility to improve the quality of public education in America?ROMNEY:
Well, the primary responsibility for education is, of course, at the state and local level. But the federal government also can play a very important role. I agree with [the principles of] Race to the Top, not all of them, but some of them I agree with.
My own view is, I've added to that. I want the kids that are getting federal dollars from IDEA or Title I--these are disabled kids or lower-income kids--I want them to be able to go to the school of their choice.
So all federal funds, instead of going to the state or to the school district, I'd have go, if you will, follow the child and let the parent and the child decide where to send their student.
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Source: First Obama-Romney 2012 Presidential debate
Paul Ryan on Abortion
: Aug 12, 2012
Life begins at conception, so protect unborn children
Social conservatives were skeptical of Romney's moderate record on abortion and family planning, but they see the young Wisconsin Republican running mate, a Catholic, as one of their own. "Congressman Ryan has a deep, abiding respect for all human
life, including unborn children and their mothers, the disabled, and the elderly," said the president of National Right to Life.
Ryan himself has said, "I support the rights of the unborn child. Personally, I believe that life begins at conception,
and it is for that reason that I feel we need to protect that life as we would protect other children."
The National Right to Live Committee scores him as "a 100% pro-life voting record" ever since he entered the House in 1999.
Abortion rights groups don't quibble with that assessment. "Rep. Ryan has cast 59 votes on reproductive rights while in Congress and not one has been pro-choice," said the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America
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Source: Joanne Kenen on Politico.com
Marco Rubio on Families & Children
: Jun 19, 2012
Improve state-provided services for kids with disabilities
The most difficult issue we addressed that year concerned the treatment of children with autism. The advocacy group Autism Speaks had targeted Florida as part of a national campaign to mandate insurance coverage for autism.
I knew very little about the disorder before 2008, but that changed when Jeanette and I began to meet families of autistic children. We met with parents who couldn't afford the expensive early intervention their kids needed.
I impaneled a special committee charged with improving the services the state provided to children with disabilities. I made sure to appoint both Democrats and Republicans who had expressed an interest in the issue.
They produced sweeping legislation that could have helped thousands of families.
The senate passed an autism-only bill. We had had to settle for helping only some of them. It wasn't good enough, but it was something.
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Source: An American Son, by Marco Rubio, p.158-159
Mitt Romney on Jobs
: Mar 2, 2010
Incentivize hiring jobless: cover $2000 in training costs
I have seen that the best training often occurs in the workplace where it is targeted to a job that is actually needed. That is one reason why
I favor programs that incentivize employers to hire and train people who have been out of work for an extended period of time, who have disabilities, or who have been affected by the failure of a company or industry.
As governor, I was able to establish a program that paid employers $2,000 toward the cost of training anyone they hired who had been out of work for more than a year.
For all the benefits that productivity improvements bestow on the many, we need to make sure that the cost is not borne by the few.
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Source: No Apology, by Mitt Romney, p.116
Marco Rubio on Principles & Values
: Feb 18, 2010
From poor Cuban family; privileged to be a citizen in US
As I reflect on all the opportunities that I've had in my life, it often reminds me of my grandfather. My grandfather was an enormous influence on me growing up. He was born in 1899 to a poor, rural family in Cuba. When he was a very young man, he had
polio, and it permanently disabled him. So he couldn't work the farm, and so they sent him away to school. In fact, he became the only member of his family that can read.When I was growing up my grandfather lived with us, and told me: Because of where
he was born and who he was born to, there was only so much he was able to accomplish. But he wanted me to know that I would not have those limits, that there was no dreams unavailable to me. And he was right.
See, I was not born to a wealthy or
connected family. And yet I have never felt limited by the circumstances of my birth. Why did my dreams have the chance that his didn't? Because I am privileged. I am privileged to be a citizen of the single greatest society in all of human history.
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Source: Speech to 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
: Nov 17, 2009
Fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
With just two weeks to go before the election, I was scheduled to present our policy on special needs issues. I remembered my first campaign promise: that if John and I were elected, the special needs community would have an advocate in the White House.
I could write the speech myself, and weave in a lot of my family's experience with Trig."There are the world's standards of perfection, and then there are God's, and these are the final measure," I said. "And the truest measure of any society is how
it treats those who are most vulnerable." I went on to discuss specific policies a McCain-Palin administration would implement for special needs kids. For example, we would reprioritize some of the $18 billion a year
Congress spends on its pork projects and instead fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. "We're going to get our federal priorities straight and fulfill our country's commitment to give every child opportunity and hope in life."
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Source: Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin, p.321-323
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
: Jul 28, 2008
ADA brings expanded freedom to Americans with disabilities
- WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is one of the most compassionate and successful civil rights laws in American history. In the 18 years since the ADA was signed into law, more people with disabilities are participating
fully in our society than ever before.
- WHEREAS, for the last 18 years the ADA has sought to ensure that people with disabilities are respected as equal citizens with equal opportunities: to access inclusive education, achieve gainful employment, and
fully participate in the recreational, leisure, and social activities of our communities.
- NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2008, as 18th Anniversary of the ADA in
Alaska, and encourage public officials, business leaders, people with disabilities, and all Alaskans to pursue the ADA’s full promise of equal opportunity and to celebrate the expanded freedom that the ADA has brought to our way of life.
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Source: Alaska Governor’s Office: Proclamation, “ADA”
Barack Obama on Health Care
: Oct 30, 2007
Added 20,000 children to Illinois healthcare
Obama also has a record of success on health care in Illinois. He sponsored the legislation expanding Kid Care and Family Care that added 20,000 children to the state health insurance program. Obama was a cosponsor of the
Senior Citizen Prescription Drug Discount Program Act, which enabled senior citizens and the disabled to obtain prescription drugs at discount rates. Obama also cosponsored smaller reforms such as SB989, which allowed
Medicaid money to care for mentally or emotionally disturbed children as outpatients rather than the far more expensive option of institutionalizing them, and
SB1417, which required all insurance companies operating in Illinois to pay for screenings of colorectal cancer.
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Source: The Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson, p.148
Ron Paul on Health Care
: Sep 17, 2007
Not government’s role to protect people like Terri Schiavo
Q: My name is Bobby Schindler, and I’m with the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation. My beloved sister Terri Schiavo was starved & dehydrated to death, in the land of abundance. The world watched because she was disabled & unable to speak for herself.
Would you support legislation that would protect the cognitively disabled & vulnerable people from having their food & water taken away?- HUCKABEE:Yes.
- TANCREDO:Yes.
- COX:Yes.
- BROWNBACK: Yes.
- PAUL: No.
- HUNTER: Yes.
- KEYES:Yes.
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Source: 2007 GOP Values Voter Presidential Debate
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
: Aug 26, 2007
Strengthen the Americans with Disabilities Act
Obama is committed to strengthening and better enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Obama believes we must restore the original legislative intent of the ADA in the wake of court decisions that have restricted the interpretation of this
landmark legislation. One of the most devastating aspects of Hurricane Katrina is that most of the stranded victims were society’s most vulnerable members, including Americans with disabilities.
Too many states and cities do not have adequate plans in place to care for special-needs populations. Obama passed legislation to require states to properly plan the evacuation of special-needs individuals.
Obama understands that children with special needs require meaningful resources to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Obama is a strong supporter of increased funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
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Source: 2008 Presidential campaign website, BarackObama.com “Flyers”
Joe Biden on Jobs
: Aug 9, 2007
No job discrimination by sexual orientation
Q: Currently, there is no federal law protecting individuals from job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. As president, would you support and work for passage of a federal bill that would prohibit job discrimination
based on sexual orientation an gender identity?A: Senator Biden opposes employment discrimination of any kind--including race, religion, gender, disability or sexual orientation. He has consistently supported the Employment Non Discrimination
Act to prohibit employment discrimination on basis of sexual orientation.
Q: Many gay & lesbian people serve in the federal government but do not receive the same health insurance and other employee benefits of married couples. Do you support domestic
partner coverage for gay and lesbian employees of the civilian federal workforce?
A: Senator Biden believes that federal employees in legally recognized, committed relationships should not be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation.
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Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate--written questionnaire
Marco Rubio on Education
: Apr 30, 2007
Voted for more scholarships for private schools
Rubio voted YES on HB7145, Private School Scholarship Program Expansion Act (passed House 84-34): - Expands the Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program (CITCSP) for students enrolled in eligible private schools by raising scholarship amount
to $4000 for students in grades 6-8 and to $4250 for grades 9-12.
- Extends eligibility for the CITCSP to siblings of current recipients
- Allows for students receiving the McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities to be home schooled.
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Source: Florida state legislative voting records
Hillary Clinton on Social Security
: Feb 17, 1999
Social Security protects families, not just retirees
Like many Americans, I got my Social Security card when I was a teenager and applied for my first job. Then, of course, I didn’t understand that my wallet-sized card represented a commitment that every American could grow old with dignity. I also didn’t
understand that Social Security is not just for the elderly-and not just for retirement. Nearly 1/3 of its beneficiaries are either disabled, widows, widowers or surviving dependents. Social Security is a family protection system.
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Source: “Talking It Over” column
Hillary Clinton on Families & Children
: Jan 6, 1999
Help “sandwiched” parents care for elderly plus kids
Millions of Americans take care of aged or disabled loved ones every day. Record numbers remain at home with family and friends, putting more and more working adults in the position of nurturing their children while, at the same time, nursing their aging
parents. We call this group the “sandwiched” generation.
There is no simple solution to the problem of caring for our aging and disabled loved ones. These initiatives offer a solid first step, and I am gratified by the support they
have received from diverse advocacy groups and members of both political parties.
The senior boom is one of the most important challenges our generation and our children will face in the coming century. It is up to us to prove that the infirmities of
age need not be the indignities of age. It is up to us to protect our children and grandchildren from the unsustainable burden of caring for us. It is up to us to do everything in our power now to lift the quality of life for every American family.
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Source: “Talking It Over” column
Page last updated: Apr 30, 2013