Press Releases

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19) today announced the Think DIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act was voted out of the House Committee on Small Business and will advance to the House Floor. The bipartisan bill will create a partnership between the National Council on Disability and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small businesses address accessibility issues for employees with disabilities, encourage the hiring of those in the disability community, and help entrepreneurs with disabilities succeed. It builds off his successful ‘Think DIFFERENTLY’ initiative, which breaks down barriers for the disability community and introduced this bill alongside U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH-1). 

In addition to the Think DIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act, the Small Business Committee also advanced the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Reporting Act, which Rep. Molinaro introduced alongside U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03). This bill requires the SBA to submit a report to Congress on the challenges entrepreneurs with disabilities face to assess needs, understand current resources available to entrepreneurs with disabilities through the SBA, and recommend legislative action to address the challenges and needs identified in the report.

Rep. Molinaro said, "Individuals, of every ability, should have a fair shot at pursuing their passion. Unfortunately, we know that barriers for the disability community often get in the way. I am proud that two of my bipartisan bills have advanced out of the Small Business Committee to help overcome the challenges those with disabilities face when working for a small business or starting their own.”

House Committee on Small Business Chairman Roger Williams said, “I am grateful to Congressman Molinaro for bringing forward the Think DIFFERENTLY Act. As it stands, the SBA needs to do more to ensure those with disabilities can work for small businesses and even start businesses of their own. As a business owner, I can tell you that running and operating a business is extremely rewarding, and those that wish to take that risk should have the opportunity to do so regardless of personal circumstance. This legislation helps ensure exactly that.”

Rep. Pappas said, “Entrepreneurship is a major pathway for all Americans to achieve self-sufficiency, and individuals with disabilities deserve equal access to support from the Small Business Administration. I was pleased to partner with Congressman Molinaro on this bipartisan legislation that will support collaboration between SBA and the National Council on Disability to help people with disabilities pursue small business ownership and employment opportunities.”