WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) closed a historic chapter in his political career this week, chairing his final hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Known as a tireless advocate for people with disabilities, Casey used his platform to push groundbreaking reforms during his 18 years in the Senate. This final hearing, titled “Empowering People with Disabilities to Live, Work, Learn, and Thrive,” was a fitting testament to the senator’s enduring legacy in disability rights and a stark reminder of the void his departure will leave.
Throughout his Senate tenure, Casey fought with an unwavering resolve to dismantle the systemic barriers that suppress opportunities for millions of Americans with disabilities. Reflecting on his work, he spoke about the voices that motivated him to act. “From the beginning of my time in the Senate, I heard a constant refrain from disability advocates…they faced barriers to save for their future, they were being paid well below a living wage, and they could not afford or access the care they needed,” Casey said. It was this consistent call to action that shaped his legislative mission.
Perhaps his most notable achievement was the creation of the ABLE program, which revolutionized the way people with disabilities could save for their future. Before ABLE, many people with disabilities could not accrue savings without risking the loss of crucial benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. Casey changed that reality. To date, the program has helped hundreds of thousands of people save for essential costs, from healthcare and housing to educational expenses.
His legislative fingerprints don’t end there. Casey played a central role in making federal websites more accessible, a major step in ensuring equal access to government services. He also championed the fight to prioritize home-care access and relentlessly pressured Congress to phase out exploitative subminimum wage practices, an archaic policy that enables employers to pay disabled workers less than the federal minimum wage.
Witnesses at the hearing underscored Casey’s unparalleled impact on the disability community. Lydia Brown, Director of Policy at the National Disability Institute, praised his leadership in passing the ABLE Act. “Ten years ago, Senator Casey’s leadership…changed the game. For many disabled people on Medicaid, an ABLE account is also their only available means to save for retirement,” Brown said.
Ai-Jen Poo, President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, highlighted the stakes of Casey’s absence. “It is daunting to think about facing the challenges ahead…without you at the helm,” she said, emphasizing the ripple effects of his advocacy.
For Neil McDevitt, Mayor of North Wales, Pennsylvania, Casey’s work resonated deeply at both local and national levels. “You have been a steadfast ally… We owe you a debt that can never be repaid,” he said.
Despite these milestones, Casey’s departure comes at a critical time. The path to achieving full disability equity remains riddled with challenges. Advocates are bracing for a fight to safeguard Medicaid and continue expanding access to housing, education, and economic opportunity.
Bob Casey’s exit from the Senate signifies the end of an era—not just for Pennsylvania, but for the national disability rights movement. His legacy will be remembered as one driven by compassion, intellect, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Yet for those following in his footsteps, the message is clear: the work must—and will—continue.
Though this chapter closes with Casey stepping away, the blueprint for progress he leaves behind is an indelible reminder of what leadership can achieve when it is fueled by purpose and driven by the voices of those who need it most.
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