WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) has introduced the bipartisan H.R. 3420, the Words Matter Act, a bill aimed at modernizing federal language to reflect dignity and respect for individuals with intellectual disabilities. He is joined in this effort by Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09).

The Words Matter Act replaces more than two dozen instances of the term “mentally retarded” in U.S. Code with contemporary, respectful language. This update reinforces the principle that all individuals deserve to be treated with dignity.

“As the proud father of a young man with Down syndrome, I know firsthand that words matter. My son Alex is an Eagle Scout, a loving uncle, and accomplished young man whose abilities far exceed his disabilities. This legislation ensures that federal law recognizes people like Alex with the God-given dignity they deserve,” said Congressman Sessions.

"This bill just makes sense," Congressman Pocan said. "Federal law should reflect the time in which we live and not include outdated, harmful slurs. The Words Matter Act will modernize our laws and remove offensive language from the U.S. Code. I thank my colleagues on both sides for supporting this effort and urge its swift passage so we can finally retire this language." 

“Words indisputably matter,” said Congresswoman Norton. “My own daughter Katherine has Down syndrome, and I’m appalled at the thought of anyone referring to her by using the R-word. It is inexcusable that this word is still part of the U.S. Code. Our country must be better than this, which is why I am proud to co-lead this bill with Rep. Sessions, Rep. Pocan and Rep. Hudson.”

“The Words Matter Act is important for our friends, family and children who are uniquely-abled,” said Congressman Hudson. “This bill will ensure they can live their lives equal to their peers without insulting legal language. I’m proud to support this legislation.”

This bill is endorsed by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL).

“NDSS is proud to support the Words Matter Act, a bipartisan effort to ensure that all individuals with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome, are treated with the dignity they deserve,” said Kandi Pickard, President and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society. “In recent months, we’ve seen a troubling rise in the use of the R-word – a word that dehumanizes and marginalizes people with intellectual disabilities. Outdated, offensive terms like the R word have no place in our society and especially our federal code. We thank Congressman Pete Sessions and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, two champions for the Down syndrome community, for their leadership on this important issue.”

“Words matter. The R-word is hurtful and wrong, and it should never be used to describe people like me,” said Kayla McKeon, Manager of Public Policy at the National Down Syndrome Society and the first registered lobbyist with Down syndrome. “I’m proud to use my voice to support the Words Matter Act so that our federal laws treat all people with disabilities with respect. This bill shows that people with Down syndrome are not invisible. We are strong, capable, and worthy of respect.”

“The Global Down Syndrome Foundation applauds Representatives Sessions, Pocan, Hudson, and Holmes Norton, for reintroducing this important bipartisan legislation to remove derogatory and hurtful language from our federal laws,” said GLOBAL Co-Founder, President, and CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten.  “There has been an increase in the use of demeaning language in society, and I am honored to join our congressional champions in this effort to ensure people with intellectual disabilities are treated with dignity and respect.”

You can read the full text of the bill HERE.

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