In a pointed response to the discrimination brought
about by Indiana’s so-called “Religious Freedom” law, House Democrats
announced a resolution to protect the civil rights of the gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender community on the federal level.
Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) called it, “A new
resolution that discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender is wrong and Congress is on right side of this battle.”
In a call with the press Monday morning, House
Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair Steve Israel
(D-NY), Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congressman David Cicilline
(D-RI) explained that the resolution is a statement of values that LGBT
people should be protected from discrimination under federal law. The
resolution will be followed up with legislation this spring that will
protect the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
people on the federal level.
Congressman André Carson (D-IN) will introduce the resolution later this week.
Rep. André Carson of Indiana explained in a
statement read during the call that in the wake of backlash against the
“Religious Freedom” law in his own state, Congress needed to act to
overcome this civil rights issue and “ensure freedom for all Americans.”
Carson said action is needed because, “Governments at all levels look
to institutionalize discrimination in the name of religious freedom.”
Rep. Jared Polis said the resolution and legislation
are necessary because Congress needs to act when basic freedoms come
under attack, “Congress won’t sit idly by when our basic freedoms come
under attack.”
Rep. David Cicilline charged that the Indiana law
undermines basic freedoms, and the reason these freedoms are being
undermined is because we don’t have a federal law ensuring equal rights.
Cicilline said, “We don’t have a federal LGBT law, ensuring equal
rights and due process… In a majority of states it is legal to
discriminate against LGBT.” He continued, “The bill would, for the first
time, cut through the patchwork of 50 states.”
Democrats are saying it is Congress’ job to take a
stand for the basic freedoms of the LGBT community and they can’t allow
in any state an intent to discriminate against LGBT, as evinced in
Indiana’s RFRA.
“When intolerance occurs anywhere, everyone has a
responsibility to take a stand. Intolerance doesn’t represent America,
tolerance represents America,” Rep. Steve Israel said. “It’s time for
the U.S. Congress to weigh in. … Our goal here is to make it known that
we will not accept state discrimination against LGBT. We will protect
civil rights and freedoms.”
Rep. Israel got cut off before he was finished speaking, as he was in traffic during the call.
The resolution Democrats introduced today is
intended as an affirmative statement that they believe it is Congress’
job to support the LGBT community, it is, they say, “a strong
statement of our belief in equality to set groundwork for an
introduction later this spring of comprehensive civil rights bill to
prevent discrimination.”
A comprehensive bill will be introduced later this
spring, for which Democrats are working with coalitions and national
organizations to create the language. While there hasn’t been any
indication of Republican support as of yet, Democrats are hopeful that
the finished bill will have bipartisan support. To this end, it is their
hope that the legislation will mirror religious exemptions of the
federal law, where LGBT will simply be treated no differently.
Cicilline explained that religious liberty and non-discrimination have
long co-existed, so both freedoms can be protected.
The Democrats see it as part of their duty in
upholding the Constitution that they ensure the civil rights of all
citizens, using legislation to do so if necessary. As Polis said, “No
one should be denied service or turned away from a store.” Conservatives
tend to disagree on principle, as they push for less regulation on the
federal level. However in this case, conservatives sort of shot
themselves in the foot when they used the idea of religious freedom to
trample on the civil rights of others. One freedom does not eclipse
another, and if the states can’t or won’t act responsibly, the federal
government has a duty to step in and protect its citizens.
There is a case to be made for too much federal
interference, but overriding those concerns is the fact that citizens
who are supposed to be enjoying the freedom guaranteed to them under the
Constitution are instead being denied housing, education, jobs, service
and more.
This
bill will probably be killed in the House, which like the Senate is run
by Republicans. But the idea of federal protection for LGBT people has
been introduced and with enough people voting, could become a reality.
