Equality Caucus Condemns Passage of FY25 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Congressional Equality Caucus released the following statement condemning the passage of H.R. 8771, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025, which contains several anti-LGBTQI+ provisions:

“The rights and safety of LGBTQI+ people are under threat across the world, yet House Republicans are using their majority in Congress to restrict the United States’s power to defend the human rights of queer people globally,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “The dangerous, discriminatory riders in this bill will imperil the safety and lives of LGBTQI+ people around the world and will negatively impact America’s foreign policy interests.”


BACKGROUND
H.R. 8771, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025, contains 6 anti-LGBTQI+ riders. In addition, one anti-LGBTQI+ amendment was voted on but not adopted:

Anti-LGBTQI+ Riders:
Sec. 7064(c)(4)): Special Envoy Rider
This rider prohibits funds for the office of the U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, severely limiting the U.S.’ leadership role in furthering LGBTQI+ rights around the globe. In total, this rider would eliminate 33 Special Envoys and Special Representatives, though Republicans specifically highlighted how it would eliminate funding for the Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, among several others.
 

Sec. 7070(a): Drag Show Ban
This section bans appropriated funds from being made available for drag queen workshops, performances, or documentaries.
 

Sec. 7070(c): Blocking LGBTQI+ Inclusive DEI Executive Orders
Under this section, funds appropriated by the bill cannot be used to implement, administer, apply, enforce, or carry out:

• Executive Order No. 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government”
• Executive Order No. 14035, “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce”
• Executive Order No. 14091, “Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government”

All of these Executive Orders are LGBTQI-inclusive.

Sec. 7070(d): Ban on medically necessary, evidence-based care for transgender people & Trans Gag Rule

This section prohibits funds made available by the bill from being used to fund any domestic or international non-governmental organization or any related program, organization, or association that: 1) promotes puberty blockers or other medicines or substances that halt the onset of puberty or sexual development of minors; 2) “offers counseling” regarding gender-affirming surgeries; 3) “promotes” gender-affirming surgeries for any reason as an option; 4) conducts or subsidizes gender-affirming surgeries; or 5) “promotes transgenderism.”

The prohibition on funds to any organization that “promotes transgenderism” could prohibit funds for any organization that provides services to or affirms the existence of transgender people.

Sec. 7070(e): Ban on flying Pride flags
This section prohibits funds from being used to fly or display the pride flag over covered facilities.
 

Sec. 7070(h): Creating a license to discriminate against the LGBTQI+ community
This rider creates a license for people and organizations—including those receiving taxpayer funds—to discriminate against LGBTQI+ people under the guise of religious liberty, and it prevents the federal government from adequately responding.

For example, it prohibits the federal government from reducing or terminating a federal contract or grant with an organization that discriminates against LGBTQI+ people if the organization justifies their discrimination based on the belief that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. It similarly prohibits the federal government from reducing or terminating the employment of an employee who discriminates against LGBTQI+ people if the employee justifies their discrimination based on the belief that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

For example:

• A U.S. funded malaria program could refuse to distribute bed nets to LGBTQI+ persons—putting the broader community at risk—without having the organization's contract revoked.
• A consular officer could refuse to issue a fiancé visa to an individual who is in a same-sex relationship with a U.S. citizen and could not be fired.
• A State Department employee could discriminate against a same-sex couple seeking to adopt overseas and could not be fired.
• If an organization receiving U.S funds refused to provide humanitarian housing to LGBTQI+ people in conflict, the U.S. couldn’t terminate the contract with that organization.
• A State Department employee who refuses to provide passports to couples in same-sex relations could not be fired.

Anti-LGBTQI+ Amendments
Greene #20: Prohibiting funding to USAID
Greene #20 would have prohibited funding for USAID, including its LGBTQI+ programming. The House rejected the amendment.
(Roll Call Vote #308)