U.S. Senate Republicans blocked ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, The Washington Post reports. It was defeated by a 61 to 38 vote with all Democrats voting in favor. To ratify an international treaty, a two-thirds majority is required. The treaty would commit signatory nations to develop their own versions of the U.S. Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. People with HIV/AIDS and other physical or mental impairments are covered by the ADA. The treaty had bipartisan support, but Republicans were split by concerns that U.S. sovereignty would be relinquished to the United Nations, which is charged with overseeing implementation. Dissenting Republicans were particularly concerned that the rights of parents who choose to home school children with disabilities would be violated.

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