Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, gave the following opening statement at a Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion hearing entitled, “Diversity Includes Disability: Exploring Inequities in Financial Services for Persons with Disabilities, Including Those Newly Disabled Due to Long-Term COVID.”  

Thank you so very much, Chair Beatty.   

It is unfortunate that the financial services and housing markets do not adequately serve persons with disabilities. These industries often put profit first and neglect to make accommodations even when the law requires it. Disabled people are disproportionately at risk of being homeless and living in poverty; and Black, Indigenous, or Latinx people are at even greater risk. 

Today, roughly 1.2 million more Americans identify as having a disability because of COVID. I have drafted legislation, and encouraged the SEC, to provide investors better information about which companies are accommodating the disabled community. These and other reforms are long past due.

So, I thank so very much, Ms. Beatty, for holding this hearing. 

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