Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Pete Sessions (TX-17) introduced H.R. 10443, the American Procurement Improvement Act (APIA). The APIA would modernize the statutory framework governing AbilityOne, while preserving its core mission of expanding employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. This bipartisan bill is endorsed by a coalition of 50 organizations, unions, disability stakeholders, and advocacy groups.
Created in 1938, AbilityOne has helped deliver critical products and services through federal contracting and provided employment for over 41,000 Americans. To keep pace with today’s workforce, disability policy, and federal procurement environment, it is critical that the program’s governing statute is modernized to preserve its mission of creating job opportunity and career growth for people with disabilities. The bipartisan APIA offers a consensus approach to implementing key changes that would secure an effective, sustainable future for AbilityOne.
“I’m proud to join with Rep. Sessions to introduce this bipartisan, consensus bill to modernize the AbilityOne program,” said Congressman Steny H. Hoyer. “For nearly ninety years, this program has opened up job opportunities for tens of thousands of Americans with disabilities, delivering greater independence and dignity while yielding a strong return on investment for the taxpayers. However, its legal framework hasn’t been substantially updated in over half a century. Our bill modernizes procurement under the program, while making it more accountable. It would also expand eligibility and help more Americans with disabilities get hired, promoted, and grow in their careers. Ultimately, this will benefit employees with disabilities and their families, improve government efficiency, and expand our economy. Sponsoring the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 and helping secure its enactment was one of my proudest achievements in office. Over the years, I have worked alongside many allies on both sides of the aisle to protect and build on that landmark law, including in the area of employment, where so much work is still needed. I look forward to partnering with Rep. Sessions, our cosponsors in both parties, and the broad range of endorsing organizations from across the disability community to try to move this bill through the House before the end of the year. We can and should get this done.”
“AbilityOne has worked for nearly 90 years, connecting federal procurement with real employment for Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities. The law governing it has not kept pace. Last year the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities was 8.3 percent, more than double the rate for Americans without disabilities, and the share of our neighbors with disabilities who are not in the workforce at all is far higher still. This bipartisan bill preserves the mission while modernizing procurement, clearing the way for career advancement, and strengthening accountability to the taxpayer. In Texas we believe every person is made in the image of God and has something to contribute, and I am proud to lead this effort alongside Congressman Steny Hoyer,” said Congressman Pete Sessions.
Full text of the bill can be found here.
The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (MS-04), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Derrick Van Orden (WI-03).
The APIA is endorsed by: American Association of People with Disabilities, SourceAmerica, National Council of SourceAmerica Employers, CEO Commission for Disability Employment, Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce, The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Arc of the United States, National Organization on Disability, National Down Syndrome Society, National Disability Rights Network, National Federation of the Blind, Melwood Inc., PCSI, Tessera, Didlake, Alula, Peckham, WORK Inc., ORC Industries, ACCSES, Advocations, Challenge Unlimited, Inc., Employment Source, Global Connections to Employment, Opportunity Center, Inc., PARC, Assets, Inc., ServiceSource, Speak Foundation, Health Hats, Access Ready Inc, Whistleblowers of America, The American Association of Kidney Patients, SEIU, Bender Consulting, Goodwill South Florida, CommunicationFIRST, ACHIEVE Human Services, Inc., Bobby Dodd Institute, Workability International, Chimes International, Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc., Human Technologies, InspiriTec, PORTCO Inc, PRIDE Industries, Phoenix, Pueblo Diversified Industries, Fedcap Rehabilitation Services, Inc., and Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE).