For Immediate Release
10/7/2020
Contact: David Card
202.408.9514 x122
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is extremely disappointed in the Administration’s decision to end negotiations on a comprehensive coronavirus relief bill until after the election and we strongly urge an immediate resumption of the negotiations.
“Americans with disabilities cannot afford to wait any longer for additional relief from our elected leaders,” said NDRN Executive Director Curt Decker. “The COVID-19 pandemic is not bound by political election cycles. People with disabilities are facing crises on multiple fronts as a result of the pandemic and every day that goes by without action prolongs both the health and economic crisis.”
In times of crisis, we turn to leadership to recognize and act on the needs of the people they serve. A cessation of negotiations in the middle of a global pandemic is the opposite of leadership and will only serve to exacerbate existing problems. People are grappling with a deteriorating economic situation, housing instability, and food insecurity just to name a few of the issues facing people every day. These problems which are acutely real and center for many, including those with disabilities, cannot continue to go unaddressed.
Congress has put forth multiple pieces of legislation laying the groundwork for the next coronavirus relief bill. The Administration must direct its negotiators back to the table so that a final relief package can be passed and implemented before the election. Anything short of that is an abdication of responsibility at the highest levels.
“Now is not the time to pack up and go home until after the election. Now is the time for leadership. Now is the time to deliver for people with disabilities and all those needing assistance in these unpredictable times,” continued Decker.
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The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the P&A/CAP Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
