Protecting Jobs of Disabled Louisiana Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressmen Steve Scalise (R-La.), Charles Boustany (R-La.) and Cedric Richmond (D-La.) today applauded unanimous passage of their amendment that will be included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that exempts AbilityOne products from certain Department of Defense (DOD) procurement programs in Asia. These programs were intended to stimulate economies overseas by manufacturing those products where our troops are deployed, but instead resulted in blind and disabled American workers losing their jobs.

“This strong bipartisan vote sends a clear message that we need to reverse a policy that has resulted in jobs for disabled Americans being shipped overseas," Rep. Scalise said. "Diplomacy and economic development in strategic foreign countries should not come at the expense of jobs for disabled Americans here at home. While it should not take an act of Congress to reverse this misguided policy change, today’s bipartisan vote shows that jobs for AbilityOne agencies like Lighthouse Louisiana are an important priority. We need to bring these much-needed jobs back home to America so people with disabilities can have a fair shot at economic opportunities and they can achieve the American Dream. Congressman Boustany, Richmond and I will continue fighting to reverse this misguided policy until we are successful at getting it signed into law."

“AbilityOne disabled workers have had their lives turned upside-down by the unintended consequences of bad government policies,” said Rep. Boustany. “This amendment offered by Congressmen Scalise, Richmond, and me is a common-sense, revenue-neutral approach reflecting our commitment to promoting opportunities for disabled American workers.”

“I am proud to support Lighthouse Louisiana with this amendment,” Rep Richmond said. “It will return jobs to hard working Louisianians while providing high quality, locally sourced products to US military bases around the world. The folks at Lighthouse Louisiana and other AbilityOne agencies are dedicated workers who were adversely affected by the unintended consequences of a DOD program. I am pleased that Congress was able to come together to allow these individuals, who have already overcome so much, to continue producing high quality products that our service men and women use every day.”

Background: For 100 years, Lighthouse Louisiana has taught life skills and provided career opportunities to blind and disabled workers at its New Orleans manufacturing facility. Last year a policy change resulted in the shifting of jobs overseas with the goal of developing economies in countries where our troops serve. This decision resulted in the loss of more than 40 jobs and $18 million in contracts at Lighthouse Louisiana. Rep. Scalise sent this letter to the Administration explaining that this should not be done at the expense of jobs for disabled Americans. Rep. Scalise then held a press conference with Lighthouse to call for a reverse of this policy, and to call attention to the importance of protecting jobs at home and empowering disabled Americans.