Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 39 of their colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling on him to bring the Equality Act to the Senate floor for a vote.
“Although nearly two-thirds of LGBTQIA+ Americans report experiencing discrimination, existing federal law provides insufficient recourse,” the senators wrote. “The Equality Act would provide unequivocal non-discrimination protections for people on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity in a number of areas, including public spaces and services, housing, education, credit, jury service, and federally funded programs, as well as explicitly codifying the Supreme Court’s holding regarding employment. By explicitly including sexual orientation and gender identity in civil rights laws, we can ensure that every person can live their life free from harassment and discrimination.”
The senators’ push comes after the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling to confirm that the nation’s landmark civil rights legislation preventing workplace discrimination protects LGBTQIA+ Americans.
“We have a responsibility to reaffirm the principle that harassment and discrimination are not tolerated in our country. We urge you to bring the Equality Act for a vote because all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, should enjoy the same protections under law that all Americans already enjoy on the basis of religion, race, gender, and more,” the senators concluded.
The full text of the letter can be found HERE.
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