FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2021
Equality Act Passes House, Bleeding Bipartisan Support
House Democrats with 3 Republicans Send Widely Opposed Bill to Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. –This afternoon, the U.S. House voted 224-206 to pass the so-called Equality Act (H.R. 5). The bill’s passage was expected, but the measure is bleeding bipartisan support. This year’s version of what many are calling Congress’s most dangerous bill gained only three Republican votes, five fewer than the attempt last year.
The vote comes one day after an unprecedented alliance of state and national organizations joined together in a virtual rally to oppose the bill: #EqualityActExposed
The rally, which has already reached over 32,000 impressions, featured a broad array of speakers across the ideological spectrum who exposed why the Equality Act is so harmful. Organizations represented included Family Policy Alliance, The Heritage Foundation, the radical feminist organization Women’s Liberation Front, Independent Women’s Forum, Concerned Women for America, Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, Alliance Defending Freedom, and more. U.S. Senator Mike Lee (UT), Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), and Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) also made guest appearances.
The organizations urged their constituents and viewers to call on House members to oppose the Equality Act. The advocacy seems to have made an impact, as two Republicans who voted for the measure just last year changed their minds and voted against it this time around (Elise Stefanik, NY-21; Mario Diaz-Balart, FL-25). Their changed votes suggest they recognized some of the serious flaws in the legislation—including harm to freedom of religion.
Craig DeRoche, President and CEO for Family Policy Alliance, responded to the House vote today: “The House just passed a broken proposal that sets us back decades when it comes to America’s long and hard-fought march toward equal justice for all. The bill would erase the concepts of male and female throughout the most basic parts of American life – sports, locker rooms, small businesses, classrooms, and even parent-child relationships in the home. Most concerning of all, the Equality Act endangers children. It could be used to sanction abortion, push over-sexualized curriculum, and encourage children struggling with their bodies to transition away from their biological sex. This bill equates to a massive federal government power grab into the most intimate parts of American life and family, intentionally silencing all of us who disagree along the way. There is no other option. The Senate must reject it.”
All eyes and advocacy efforts now turn to the Senate where the fate of the Equality Act remains uncertain. Family Policy Alliance will rally its constituents to vigorously oppose the bill in that chamber and support Senators leading the opposition to it.
Media Contact:
Robert Noland, (719) 308-2822, Media@FamilyPolicyAlliance.com
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Family Policy Alliance is a Christian, alliance-building ministry that champions public policy consistent with biblical truth so families thrive.