WASHINGTON — A bill to remove the derogatory "R-word" from the D.C. Code has passed the Senate Committee.
D.C.'s Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton made the announcement Wednesday stating that the bipartisan bill, the "Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act," was marked up and passed by the committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The bill, which is co-led in the House by Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and in the Senate by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), will remove the “R-word” from Title 11 of the D.C. Code. It will then be replaced with more appropriate and respectful terminology.
“Words indisputably matter, and I am pleased that today’s Senate committee passage means we’re one step closer to bringing the D.C. Code into the 21st century,” Norton said. “My own daughter, Katherine, has Down syndrome. I’m appalled at the thought of someone using the ‘R-word’ slur toward her, and it is unacceptable that the derogatory term is still a part of the D.C. Code.”
Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, only Congress can amend Title 11 of the D.C. Code.
"I'm proud to see the Words Matter Act pass the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs,” Molinaro said. This is a crucial step in removing disparaging terms that diminish individuals with disabilities. Our words matter and our laws should reflect that."
The act has been endorsed by the National Down Syndrome Society, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the National Down Syndrome Congress, and the Special Olympics.
Watch Next: Fairfax County School Board member under fire for saying the "R" word during official meeting
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.