Recess Appointment of Pryor Shows Bush is no Supporter of ADA
March 2004

A Press Release from the Democratic National Committee:

Washington, D.C.- The recess appointment of William Pryor to the U.S. Court of Appeals is just the latest confirmation that President Bush's image as a compassionate conservative was nothing more than a farce and that his support to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is empty rhetoric. In spite of Pryor's appointment, this week the National Council on Disability (NCD) a government agency composed by members appointed by the President, issued a statement commending the Bush administration for his support to the ADA.

The NCD needs to remember that Pryor has led the battle and sounded the alarms to right-wing ideologues across the country in the effort for states' rights or "federalism" to limit the authority of Congress to enact laws protecting individual and other rights. Additionally, Pryor has spoken out in favor of legal arguments that would eliminate the rights of Medicaid beneficiaries and the services states are obligated to provide.More than four hundred disability rights organizations signed petitions in opposition of Pryor's nomination.

"The recess appointment of William Pryor to the U.S. Court of Appeals is just further evidence that President Bush is out of touch with the American people," said Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe. "Pryor has argued that the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were 'not needed' to remedy discrimination by states against people with disabilities. His appointment is a slap in the face for the disabilities community.

"With this controversial recess appointment and that of Charles Pickering, an equally troubling appointment, President Bush is resorting to dirty politics to pursue an extreme agenda," said McAuliffe."Four years ago President Bush told the American public that he would do away with the ways of Washington and partisan bickering, but his actions since assuming office suggest otherwise."

"Bush is the most divisive President since Richard M. Nixon.If he thinks for one second that he can get away with saying he supports the ADA in one breath and in the next appoint outright opponents to the ADA such as Pryor, well he had better think again. The disability community cannot and will not tolerate his brand of compassionate conservatism any more," stated Becky Ogle, Director of Disability Outreach at the DNC.

Paid for by the Democratic National Committee. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

For more information, contact Mark Quigley at 202-272-2004 or 202-272-2074 (TTY).

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