At the beginning of December, the Committee on House Administration’s Modernization Subcommittee sent a letter to the Capitol Police, the Architect of the Capitol, and the House Sergeant at Arms requesting “a preliminary study to identify possible drop off and pick up locations on level ground” for members of the public with mobility impairments.

In May 2021, PVA’s Chief Policy Officer Heather Ansley testified before the House Select Committee on Modernization of Congress on making the House more accessible to the disability community. In her testimony, she mentioned the challenges faced by PVA’s members, and others with mobility limitations when they visit the Capitol and neighboring office buildings. Ansley specifically highlighted how the barriers start at the curb and called for designated drop-off (or pick-up) zones near all accessible entrances, among other improvements.

While the exact locations of these drop-off zones are currently being determined, a short-term fix is expected to be in place in early 2024, ahead of the springtime tourist and advocacy season. More permanent solutions are actively in the works and will be realized in the weeks and months ahead.