House Democrats Thursday called on Republicans to hold a hearing and votes on legislation that would extend federal protections against discrimination for members of the LGBT community.
“We urge the leadership to hold hearings on this legislation,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “Bring in your witnesses, we’ll bring in ours. Hold hearings so that we can act upon the facts and act upon our values.”
Democrats want the GOP-led House to take up the Equality Act, sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I. The bill would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sex, sexual orientation and gender identity among categories of prohibited discrimination or segregation in public.
While the legislation was introduced in July, Democrats renewed their push after two states passed laws that critics say are anti-LGBT.
Mississippi passed a law protecting those with sincerely held religious beliefs from being forced to serve people in the LGBT community if it violates their beliefs. North Carolina enacted a new law that prevents localities from adding LGBT persons protected from discrimination.
“In recent weeks, we’ve seen North Carolina and Mississippi enact discriminatory laws,” said Senate Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md.
Hoyer said the North Carolina law forces transgender people “to use bathrooms that do not correspond with their gender identity.”
Democrats contend that a new anti-discrimination law is needed to protect LGBT individuals from dozens of states where discrimination is allowed.
“In 29 states, it’s legal to deny LGBT individuals services at a restaurant, library, theater or other public space,” Hoyer said.
But the legislation is not part of the House Judiciary Committee’s current agenda, and seems unlikely to move in the Congress. A committee aide told the Washington Examiner Thursday they had no comment on the request from Democrats to take up the measure.
