Press Releases

Binghamton, NY – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19) and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1) today introduced the Think DIFFERENTLY About Building Accessibility Act to make federal buildings fully accessible for individuals with disabilities. Rep. Molinaro introduced this bill after a constituent from Tompkins County contacted him about accessibility barriers at a local government office.

Rep. Molinaro's bill requires the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate all General Services Administration (GSA) owned and leased buildings, and report if they are not in compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act, which requires buildings that were built with federal dollars to be accessible for people with disabilities. The GSA owns and leases a large portfolio of buildings used by federal agencies.

Rep. Molinaro said, "After hearing from a constituent in Tompkins County, I took action and wrote the bipartisan Think DIFFERENTLY About Building Accessibility Act. Buildings constructed with federal dollars are required to be accessible for individuals with disabilities. This bill is going to make sure they’re in compliance.”

Rep. Titus said, “This resolution reaffirms our commitment to making federal buildings accessible to all people with disabilities. It will ensure that the General Services Administration is setting and enforcing standards in public buildings that give people with disabilities full access to the nearly 9,000 buildings the GSA oversees. It is not enough to have standards. We must make sure they are being followed.”

Since coming to Congress, Rep. Molinaro has built off his 'Think DIFFERENTLY initiative' by crafting a package of bipartisan legislation. The Think DIFFERENTLY About Building Accessibility Act builds on his initiative to break down barriers for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.