WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement today after 38 Senate Republicans blocked a treaty to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities around the world. A two-thirds vote was required.
"As a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I am deeply disappointed that a majority of Senate Republicans chose not to ratify this important treaty. The United States has been at the forefront of advocating for the dignity of people with disabilities. This treaty would be an important step forward in assuring the rights of people with disabilities throughout the world, including our disabled veterans, who live or travel abroad."
Before the vote, Udall spoke on the floor in support of the treaty's passage. The video is available here .
Udall was a leading proponent for ratifying the treaty, along with Sens. John Kerry, Richard Lugar, Dick Durbin, John McCain, John Barrasso, Tom Harkin and Chris Coons.
