Powers Wrong on Disabilities Treaty

By Lisa Correnti | April 3, 2014

At a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing yesterday US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Powers was asked to comment on the failure of the senate to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Ranking member Lowey wanted the Ambassador’s thoughts for the record. Powers parroted Secretary Kerry’s position, that the US needs to ratify CRPD to show leadership to the rest of the world.

Last Fall in two hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee expert witnesses presented problems with ratifying the Convention. Language within the treaty could promote abortion rights, infringe on parental rights, and cause fiscal burdens to homeowners and small businesses. Experts said the amendments the Obama administration argue would protect US sovereignty were inadequate.

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