Called the Equality Act, the bill is a top priority of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said it will bring the nation"closer to equal liberty and justice for all."
The legislation's chief sponsor, Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., said it affirms fairness and equality as core American values"and ensures members of the LGBTQ community can live their lives free from the fear of legal discrimination of any kind." At a news conference Thursday, the Republicans said the bill would jeopardize religious freedom by requiring acceptance of a particular ideology about sexuality and sexual identity.
A similar bill in the Senate has been co-sponsored by all but one Senate Democrat, but faces long odds in the Republican-controlled chamber. Ahead of the vote, Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., called the House bill"horrifying" and said it could cause Catholic schools to lose federal grants for school lunches or require faith-based adoption agencies to place children with same-sex couples.
Senate will never pass it. Trump will never sign it. Symbolic victory.