Congress Demands Justice Department Rescind Opinion on Disability Protections
A group of 100 members of Congress, led by Senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, Ron Wyden, Bernie Sanders, and Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Debbie Dingell, has set a deadline for the Justice Department to respond to questions regarding its June opinion that narrows federal disability protections. The letter, addressed to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, requests the department to rescind the opinion and provide answers by August 5. This opinion, issued by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, suggests that the Olmstead v. L.C. decision does not conclusively impose an integration mandate under Section 504 and Title II. The opinion has raised concerns among disability advocacy groups and lawmakers, as it could impact the enforcement of disability rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.