Pelosi Statement on Republicans' Announced Legislative Hearing Targeting LGBT Americans

Statement

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after Republicans on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee announced a legislative hearing on the so-called First Amendment Defense Act, which targets LGBT Americans for discrimination:

"One month to the day after 49 Americans were senselessly killed at Orlando's Pulse nightclub, House Republicans will hold a hearing on a bill that targets LGBT Americans for discrimination. After bringing down entire appropriations bills to make sure federal contractors could discriminate against LGBT employees, Republicans are doubling down on a dangerous agenda of intolerance and prejudice. This hateful bill would also subject all unmarried couples to discrimination.

"Republicans rushing to defend discrimination against Americans because of who they are or who they love must remember that we have a responsibility to protect all Americans. Instead of propagating discrimination, Republicans should join Democrats to disarm hate. We must act to keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists and criminals.

"After such an historic act of hate, it is shameful that House Republicans would rather work to advance discrimination and bigotry than act to save lives now with commonsense gun violence prevention. As Republicans stand against the tide of history, House Democrats will continue to fight to pass the Equality Act to ensure that discrimination has no place anywhere in America."

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