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U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05) introduced a resolution condemning a Department of Justice (DOJ) legal opinion that was issued on June 18, 2026, regarding Olmstead v. L.C., the landmark Supreme Court decision that recognized the institutional isolation of people with disabilities as unlawful discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While the legal opinion does not overturn the decision, it threatens enforcement of the rights afforded by the Court’s decision under a hostile DOJ that has failed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. 

"The Olmstead decision was a monumental victory that ensured people with disabilities have the right to live, work, and thrive in their own communities alongside their families and friends. This action by the Department of Justice is a dangerous step backward that undermines basic civil rights. We cannot and will not allow decades of hard-won progress to be rolled back; we must continue to stand up for the rights and dignity of every person with a disability,” said Congresswoman Dingell.

A Department of Justice legal opinion acts as official policy guidance that dictates how federal agencies enforce the law. This new order can weaken legal protections and restrict community-based services for people with disabilities across the country.

“Olmstead was a critical step in creating inclusive communities for people with disabilities. It gave teeth to the promise of the ADA and spurred innovation in programs to secure community-based residential programs and services,” said Congresswoman Scanlon. “For nearly three decades, the Olmstead decision has been a North Star to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the right to remain in their communities with access to support and services, instead of being forced into institutional settings. We must continue to protect and expand upon this basic human right.”

A copy of the resolution can be found HERE.