Contact: Michael Ramey, Dir. Communications, ParentalRights.org, 540-751-1247

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The U.N. Treaty on persons with disabilities failed to pass in the Senate on Tuesday after a push from conservatives to call senators to voice their opposition. The 61-38 vote was five short of the two-thirds majority required for ratification of all treaties. Senate Republicans blocked passage saying it could hand over U.S. sovereignty to the U.N. body. Eight Republicans and 2 Independents supported it while no Democrat voted against it. The treaty was adopted in the U.N. in 2006 and President Obama signed it in 2009.

Supporters claimed the treaty is nonbinding and would not override U.S. Law in which the disabled are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Critics fear parental rights would be undermined by the state and that it would be the first ratified treaty to mention "reproductive health" to include abortion as defined by the World Health Organization.

Supporters said the treaty would ensure that the U.S. remains the world leader in defending human rights and that it was an opportunity for us to set an example. It has been signed by 155 nations and ratified by 126 countries. Sen. Coons, D-Del, said he was upset that the Republicans "succeeded in scaring homeschool parents and that he had received dozens of phone calls from homeschoolers."

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. voted against it stating, "I do not support the cumbersome regulations and potentially overzealous international organizations with anti-American biases that infringe upon American society."

"If, as supporters claim, this treaty does not affect U.S. law, then why do we need it?" asked Adriana Gonzalez, Founder of Catholics Called to Witness and Florida Coordinator for ParentalRights.org. "Thankfully, American sovereignty and parental rights won today. This is a perfect moment to let Americans know how important it is to continue championing the cause of parental rights. Quite literally, we are talking about the future of our nation."

Michael Farris, President of ParentalRights.org, hailed today's vote but warned, "This treaty, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, can be brought up again as early as 2013." He said the only solution that will permanently preserve parental rights in America is the proposed Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "So we are hoping to take the momentum from today's vote and focus it on passing that Amendment in the next Congress."