02/18/2025
17 state attorneys general (AG’s) have joined in a lawsuit asking that the court declare Section 504 unconstitutional. This is not good. It is bad.
The lawsuit does *not* only seek to unwind the May 2024 rule related to 504, as some are saying. The complaint argues that Section 504 is unconstitutional. It asks the court to tear down the whole dang thing.
“Oh, the court won’t do that,” some say. Yet, these AG’s have gone far enough to ask. To put this demand for relief in an actual complaint. To look at this complaint and decide “yep, let’s take down Section 504.” To put their name and reputation, as an attorney and a public figure, behind a formal (if flabby and disingenuous) request to remove protections for people with disabilities that have been in place for more than 50 years (and that are 100% constitutional).
These AG’s all made an oath to uphold the Constitution. They’re failing to stay true to their word. If the AG’s are willing to file the request, what reason do we have to believe a court wouldn’t grant it? Cross your fingers, y’all. That oughta do it, right?
You may think “small government” and “government efficiency” is super neato. K. Fine. Skip that. This, what’s being done via this lawsuit and in many other ways, is not that. This is not getting rid of “bloat” and giving power to the states (y’all. really.). This is like wanting to downsize as an empty nester, but instead of buying another house and moving, you bulldoze your entire house. And your entire neighborhood. And everything within 10 miles of your neighborhood. Then you tell all the people whose homes you destroyed that their property values just shot up because of all the usable space they have now.
TLDR: 17 state AG’s are asking a federal court to declare Section 504 unconstitutional. That’s bad. If you think it’s good, either you’re ill informed or you’re also bad (NB: there are no bad kids). Call your AG’s office, people.
Read the complaint here:https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/HHS%20Rehabilitation%20Act%20Complaint%20Filestamped.pdf