The Vision --I am sitting on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The sun is shining. It’s a rare summer day with low humidity. There is even a breeze. In front of me is a new museum – the National Museum of Disability History and Culture. So many people contributed to it. Those of us with disabilities, our families, friends, and colleagues, members of Congress, those with expertise in finding and archiving the treasures connected to the disability community, those who are great at messaging, building, architecture, accessibility, and education. Inside the museum are exhibits that tell the stories of people with disabilities, both struggles and successes. The exhibits trigger amazement, pride, but most importantly, understanding and appreciation of our common humanity.
Today we are just beginning -- Asking Senators to join Senator Casey (D, PA) so he will introduce legislation to authorize a commission to consider if a Museum of Disability History and Culture is a good idea. If the legislation becomes law, the Commission will not only decide if it is a good idea, it will explore how to go about it. The Commission would have two years to do its work and write a report to Congress. Then the next step will be to authorize the actual building of the museum.
I am a member of Friends of the National Museum of Disability History and Culture. Senator Casey will not introduce the commission legislation until he has an initial Republican co-sponsor. Senator Casey wants the legislation to be bipartisan. I have reached out to 15 Republican Senators. Two have agreed to be co-sponsors, but not be the first Republican co-sponsor. Five other Republicans are reviewing the legislation and discussing the consequences of sponsorship. The remaining eight Republicans I contacted have not responded. My efforts began in May 2024.
We have bipartisan sponsors lined up in the House of Representatives, but they are waiting for the Senate to go first.
Why are we not swimming in success with many enthusiastic Republican co-sponsors? It’s an election year. Everything hangs in the balance because the Senate and House have almost equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans and former President Trump and Vice President Harris are almost equal in the polls. No one wants to tip the balance against his or her party. That is the naked truth.
How can we convince Republicans that this modest legislation transcends partisan concerns and will transforms how the disability community views elected officials? By letting them know how we feel, what we expect. Our millions of votes will be influenced favorably by sponsorship. GOP sponsorship will inspire new, needed conversations with Republicans on a wide range of issues and forge new bipartisan partnerships that improve Congress’ standing with the public generally.
So during the Congressional recess, visit with your Senators and ask them to contact Senator Casey and agree to co-sponsor the legislation. The five Republican Senators who are considering the bill are: Braun (R, IN), Ernst (R, IA), Fischer (R, NB), Hagerty (R, KS), and Tillis (R, NC).
We have an opportunity here to demonstrate that bipartisan sponsorship is beneficial across parties and wins the thanks of 60 million plus people.
Common Grounder
