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| Helping Individuals with Disabilities |
This week, Congress addressed a major threat to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
For years, the ADA has played a vital role in protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination. Unfortunately, over the past several years, some profit-driven lawyers have increasingly exploited a loophole in the bill by using “drive-by lawsuits,” or lawsuits that are initiated by simply driving by a business and noting potential violations and more recently spotting violations in aerial views from Google Earth.
These frivolous lawsuits are not intended to increase access for disabled individuals, they are initiated to make lawyers rich at the expense of "Mom and Pop" businesses.
That is why I was proud to vote for H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act, which amends the decades-old ADA by allowing a plaintiff, usually a small business owner, to receive a notification detailing their violation of an ADA accommodation, and then provides the plaintiff time to correct the violation before they are sued.
Most of the business owners in my district want to be compliant with ADA requirements and make sure that individuals with disabilities are comfortable in their stores. Under H.R. 620, instead of lining the pockets of lawyers, business owners can use their money to actually help disabled individuals. That’s not to say that businesses will have the ability to violate the ADA law – they won’t. They’ll just be given a short period of time to fix any violations, resulting in more compliant businesses.
Please click here to see a 60 Minutes piece on "drive-by lawsuits". |
| Bipartisan Valentines Day |
I hope everyone had a happy and safe Valentines Day! In Washington, I sent a note to my bipartisan Valentine, Congressman Ron Kind of Wisconsin's 5th District. I shared more bill cosponsorships with Rep. Kind than any other Democrat. I look forward to again working across the aisle with him in the future!
I was also informed this week that since my first year in Congres, 2015, the House has passed 425 bills introduced by Democrats. I have worked with my Democratic colleagues to support 97 percent of these bills in an effort to reach across the aisle and best serve the residents of the Sixth District.
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Know a business that is outstanding at recruiting, hiring and retaining veterans? Nominate them for the HIRE Vets Medallion Program.
The HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration is now accepting applications. This Program Demonstration will allow the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS) to initially run applications, raise awareness of the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, and enable more employers to prepare to successfully garner recognition when the Program launches in 2019.
Some of the smartest, most dependable people I know are veterans who selflessly fought for our freedom. I salute all employers who recognize this and give our soldiers good, honest jobs when they return home.
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When I arrived in Washington on Tuesday, I ran into Suzanne Kelly of the Waukesha Business Alliance and Jim Pugh of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Great to see you and keep up the good work for Wisconsin!
Tuesday afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting with Special Olympics Wisconsin. Athlete, community leader and Portage native, Steve Woodard told me about all of the good work he and the other athletes are doing in their communities. Thanks for stopping by!
I also had the opportunity to meet with groups ranging from Pulp & Paperworkers Resource Council to the Ho-Chunk Nation. It's always wonderful to meet Wisconsinites from all walks of life with a wide range of interests.
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As your congressman, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Fond du Lac and Washington. If you enjoyed this newsletter be sure to forward it to your family and friends so they can stay informed on what I’m doing in Washington and the 6th District.
Sincerely,
Glenn Grothman
Member of Congress
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