The House of Representatives passed a bill Friday seeking to end hair-based discrimination as some lawmakers seek to focus on the war in Ukraine and subsequent energy crisis instead.
The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2021, nicknamed the CROWN Act, would “prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair,” according to the text of the bill.
“Throughout United States history, society has used (in conjunction with skin color) hair texture and hairstyle to classify individuals on the basis of race,” the bill reads, concluding that “a clear and comprehensive law should address the systematic deprivation of educational, employment, and other opportunities on the basis of hair texture and hairstyle that are commonly associated with race or national origin.”
Introduced by New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, the bill was passed after a vote largely along party lines. However, 14 Republicans joined Democrats for a tally of 235-189.
FAUCI HINTS AT RETIREMENT: ‘I CAN’T STAY AT THIS JOB FOREVER’
“For too long, black girls have been discriminated against and criminalized for the hair that grows on our heads and the way we move through and show up in this world,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley said in a speech on the House floor.
In an impassioned floor speech, Rep. Jim Jordan said the United States already protects against racial discrimination. He shot back at House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer who claimed the bill is “not about hair” but instead about discrimination.
“What the bill’s not about is dealing with the crazy energy situation we find ourselves in today,” Jordan said. “The bill’s not about opening up ANWR. The bill’s not about increasing domestic production of energy so we don’t have $5 gas.”
“The bill is not about dealing with the inflation problem, the 40-year-high inflation problem that this country faces. The problem that’s impacting moms and dads and families across this country every single day,” he added. “The bill’s not about that.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“It’s definitely about hair,” he said. “It’s not about dealing with the border situation. One-hundred-and-sixty-five thousand illegal encounters on the border last month alone. It’s not about that.”
“It’s not about that. The majority leader was wrong when he said this bill was not about hair,” Jordan concluded. “That’s all it’s about.”
