Disability Parents Get Top House Posts

LifeNews.com reports:

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers a pro-life congresswoman from Washington state, was elected House Republican Conference chair, making her the highest-ranked Republican woman in the House of Representatives.

McMorris Rodgers occupies the fourth-highest leadership position in the party, which will again be headed by pro-life Speaker John Boehner and pro-life Majority Leader Eric Cantor. She defeated pro-life Georgia Rep. Tom Price for the position that essentially becomes the party’s chief messenger on issues, including abortion....

 She also has a son who has Down Syndrome and has spoken out eloquently about him. 

Because of Cole, I meet and work with so many individuals and organizations across the country that strive to make the lives of those with disabilities better: the National Down Syndrome Society, the National Down Syndrome Congress, Global Down Syndrome, Autism Speaks, Keep Infants with Down Syndrome (KIDS), the Evergreen Club and so many more. I work with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to offer students with physical and intellectual disabilities internships in my office. I have become part of an extensive network of people who focus on the gifts — not the limitations — that those with disabilities bring to this world.... 

In fact, in this Congress alone, I’ve worked with my colleagues across the aisle to introduce the Achieve a Better Life Expectancy (ABLE) Act, which would empower individuals with disabilities by reforming the tax code and enabling them to have access to their benefits. When Cole was born, we were advised not to put any assets in his name because it would penalize him if he needed to qualify for a government program someday. Millions of others parents face the same impediment: they want to expand their children’s options without jeopardizing their access to benefits. We must get rid of federal policies that limit those with disabilities and make them dependent on the government. We need the ABLE Act so that children with special needs can have the opportunity for better and brighter futures.

Another Down Syndrome parent, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), will chair the powerful House Rules Committee.