US ambassador to UN: Ratify treaty on disabled

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is urging the Senate to ratify a global treaty on the rights of the disabled, arguing that it would benefit Americans when they are overseas.

Samantha Power's statement Tuesday says ratifying the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities "has no effect on U.S. law and doesn't add a penny to our budget."

Tuesday is the International day of Persons with Disabilities.

The Obama administration has been pressing skeptical Senate Republicans, who a year ago made the five-vote difference as an attempt at passage failed.

The global treaty is modeled largely on American law.