Issue Position: On Issue of Equality

Issue Position

Women's Issues

Congressman Moran is a steadfast proponent of women's rights. He is firmly pro-choice. He believes that such a personal private decision should not be determined by the government, but rather by the woman in the context of her family, her religion, and her personal circumstances. He voted against granting federal funding to medical practitioners who refuse to provide patients with information about contraception and abortion. He strongly opposes legislation that would allow health care professionals to refuse treatment of a seriously ill woman when it means jeopardizing the fetus because it would allow virtually any health care provider to deny coverage for specific services without penalty.

Congressman Moran believes that the Global Gag Rule (which is now in effect) that prevents any discussion of abortion by non-governmental organizations receiving funding from the federal government, is immoral and simply prevents poor women outside of the United States--especially in developing countries-- from receiving factual and complete information regarding their reproductive health. He supports the passage of the Access to Birth Control Act, which would end the shameful practice of pharmacists refusing to fill lawfully obtained birth control and emergency contraceptive prescriptions. Jim will continue to fight against misguided attempts to limit a woman's choices regarding her own body.

While Congressman Moran is strongly pro-choice, he believes that reducing the number of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies is just as important as ensuring reproductive freedom. Congressman Moran has consistently backed efforts to increase funding for programs designed to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies by creating greater access to contraception and by providing clear and accurate sex education in public schools.

Jim is also a co-sponsor of the Military Access to Reproductive Care and Health for Military Women Act (MARCH) which would allow Department of Defense (DoD) funds to be used for abortion in the case of rape or incest. Current law provides an exception only where the life of the mother is endangered. The bill also repeals a statutory restriction on using a medical treatment facility or other DoD facility to perform an abortion. Congressman Moran believes that military servicewomen operating in U.S. bases overseas should have the same reproductive options and medical services as those in the United States.

Women in our nation still face widespread workplace discrimination. Many women are paid less for performing the same work as their male counterparts and struggle financially due to discriminatory hiring and promotion practices. Jim voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act, which is now law, ensuring that women who have suffered employment discrimination are not victimized again by legal rules designed to protect big business. He is also an outspoken advocate for the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would strengthen laws against gender based wage discrimination. Congressman Moran will continue to work until the goal of equal pay for equal work is achieved and workplace discrimination is no longer an issue.

Congressman Moran is a sponsor of the Violence Against Women Act.

LGBT Issues

Congressman Moran is proud to have received the 2012 endorsement by the Virginia Partisans PAC.

Beginning with his efforts as Mayor of Alexandria to prohibit discrimination in the hiring of city employees, Congressman Moran has a long record of working to secure equal treatment under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. He firmly believes that the civil liberties guaranteed in the Constitution apply to all Americans, and he continues to take a leading role in ensuring all are treated equally under the law.

Moran opposed the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996 and subsequent attempts to add heterosexual-only marriage amendments to the Constitution. He has been a consistent cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation to repeal DOMA, and supports the decision of the Obama Administration not to defend the law's constitutionality in federal court. Moran was a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that passed the House in 2007 and has consistently received a 100 percent vote rating from the Human Rights Campaign. In 2008, he was a founding member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

For many years, Moran was a vocal opponent of the military's unwise and unfair Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy of discharging gay and lesbian service members. He led efforts to demand that the Department of Defense release more accurate and timely information about those discharged under the policy and worked with constituents adversely impacted by DADT to highlight the human cost of this policy. Last Congress, he was proud to support the passage of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 (H.R. 2965) that finally ended this discriminatory policy. Moran also supported the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913), which added crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability to the list of federal hate crimes.

Cosponsored Legislation in the 112th Congress:

*Every Child Deserves a Family Act (pending) - would restrict federal funds for any state which allows discriminatory adoption practices based on LGBT status
*Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 1397) - prohibits discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity
*Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 1116) - repeals the Defense of Marriage Act which prohibits federal recognition of lawfully married sam-sex couples
*Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 1537) - allows American citizens to sponsor their long-term partners for U.S. citizenship
*Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 998) - prohibits any school program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from discriminating against any student on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity
Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (H.R. 3485) - provides benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees

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