Capitol Hill Update XIII

Congress passed legislation which would reverse U.S. Supreme Court rulings that created new barries to coverage under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. The measure clarifies that Congress intends the Americans with Disabilities Act to be broadly interpreted in requiring employers to make accommodations for the disabled.The court ruled, for instance, that mitigating circumstances like medication or a prosthesis make a person ineligible for coverage. On a voice vote, the House of Representatives approved the measure that was unanimously passed by the Senate last week. The White House said President George W. Bush would sign it into law.

The U.S. House passed a bill intended to prevent excessive speculation in oil despite a veto threat from the White House. It also passed a bill to compel the District of Columbia to ease its gun control laws. However, a second economic stimulus package was defeated.

Meanwhile, the Senate voted on a defense bill that included a military pay raise. The Senate bill must now be reconciled with the House's version before the legislation is sent to the White House for President Bush's signature.