October 4, 2022

Fighting for Disability Rights

Dear Friends,  

I have spent my career in public service fighting for disability rights. For years, I have advocated for more accessible public transportation, as well as a bill of rights for airline passengers with disabilities. As you may have seen in the news, I had a recent experience that highlights why that work is so important.

In August, I led a Congressional delegation to Italy in coordination with the U.S. Navy. My team and I drove to Boston and made it to the airport with plenty of time. But I wasn’t allowed past the check-in counter. The airline wouldn't let my wheelchair on the plane.

My wheelchair uses a type of lithium-ion battery which the Federal Aviation Administration has deemed safe to fly. I had paperwork proving that the battery is cleared to travel. I even called the inventor of my wheelchair to explain the safety guidelines to the airline staff. But still, I wasn't allowed to board. They told me that my lithium-ion battery violated their safety restrictions, and that they weren’t obligated to follow FAA guidelines. Nothing I did was enough to convince the ticketing agent to issue me my boarding pass.

Let’s call this what it was – discrimination against people with disabilities. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and it’s happening to countless airline passengers with disabilities, most of whom are not Members of Congress accompanied by the U.S. Navy.

It’s outrageous that airlines are blocking wheelchair users from traveling with FAA-compliant mobility devices. If I was denied boarding on a government trip, what do you think is happening to people with disabilities on vacations, visiting family, or traveling for work?

This kind of story is just the latest reminder why we need to pass stronger legislation to defend the rights of Americans with disabilities, including my Air Carrier Access Amendments Act, which would strengthen protections for airline passengers with disabilities. For the rest of my days in office and beyond, I will continue the fight to do just that. 

Because every person deserves to travel with dignity. 

To keep up with my work in Washington and in our district, please visit my website and follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Sincerely,

Securing Our Democracy Last month, I voted for the Presidential Election Reform Act to safeguard our democracy from any future attempt to overturn the will of the people. Following the January 6th insurrection, we must make it clear that the Vice President has no legal authority to obstruct the counting of the electoral votes. We came so close to losing our democracy on January 6th, 2021. We must do everything in our power to protect the rule of law and prevent any similar assault on our democracy from ever happening again.

Tackling Plastic Pollution  One of the things I love about representing Rhode Island’s Second District is that groundbreaking research takes place all around us. Narragansett Bay serves as a hands-on laboratory for developing new, cutting-edge technologies to support the health of our ecosystems. Senator Jack Reed and I just delivered $1 million to the University of Rhode Island to support their work to reduce plastic pollution, including dangerous PFAS chemicals, and develop sustainable, cost-effective plastic alternatives. This is important work happening right here in Narragansett, and I am proud to provide the University with the funding they need to expand their efforts.