Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Votes to Pass Equality Act

Statement

Today, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) voted in support of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives this afternoon. She is an original cosponsor of the legislation.

H.R. 5 passed the House by a vote of 236-173. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

"By passing the Equality Act today, we affirm that all Americans must be treated equally under the law -- regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national origin," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. "I urge the Senate to promptly take up and also pass this important legislation to end the discrimination that still plagues our fellow Americans."

Background: The Equality Act (H.R. 5) was introduced in March 2019 with strong, bipartisan support. It would amend existing civil rights legislation to include explicit protection to the LGBT community. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, Federal jury service, public accommodations, and the use of Federal funds.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has cosponsored and supported anti-discrimination legislation like the Fair and Equal Housing Act, Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act, Juror Non-Discrimination Act, Student Non-Discrimination Act, Safe Schools Improvement Act, Do No Harm Act, and the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act. Additionally, Rep. Gabbard has advocated in support of the LGBT community serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

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