Kirk, McCain, Ayotte, Barrasso Urge Senate to Ratify Disability Treaty

Statement

Following the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Bond v. United States on Monday, U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the below statement. The Bond v. United States case dealt with a federal statute challenge of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which was enacted after the Convention itself was ratified.

"The Supreme Court's unanimous ruling in Bond is a positive development that should clear the way for Senate action on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities -- CRPD. The Court has made it clear that the Bond case should not in any way impede the ratification of the CRPD, and that the Senate can provide advice and consent to this important treaty while preserving American sovereignty and maintaining our Constitution's balance of powers between the Federal government and the States. The CRPD will ensure that our wounded warriors and disabled citizens are entitled to the same rights and protections around the world that they enjoy here at home. We hope our Senate colleagues will join us to ratify the CPRD as soon as possible."