CEC Condemns Passage of Anti-LGBTQI+ FY26 Energy & Water Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) released the following statement after the House passed the FY26 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which contained several anti-LGBTQI+ riders:

“Republicans are more fixated on attacking the LGBTQI+ community than they are on passing sensible energy or water policy. It seems like the GOP is incapable of focusing on anything else besides attacking minority communities,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “This bill doesn’t do anything for American families facing rising energy costs, but it does send a message to the American people that Republicans don’t believe LGBTQI+ people belong in our federal government or that our rights should be respected. As the deadline to fund the government approaches, it is on Republicans to stop with these sham, partisan bills and instead work with Democrats on bipartisan government funding bills that improve the health, safety, and economic well-being of everyday Americans.”


BACKGROUND
H.R. 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, contains two anti-LGBTQI+ riders.

Sec. 506: License to Discriminate Provision
This section creates a license for people and organizations—including those receiving taxpayer funds—to discriminate against LGBTQI+ people under the guise of religious liberty, and they prevent the federal government from adequately responding (e.g., by reducing or terminating federal grants or contracts or terminating an employee).

For example:

• A benefits specialist could not be terminated from employment for refusing to file paperwork for spousal benefits for a DOE employee who is newly married to someone of the same sex.
• If a regional economic development commission, like the Appalachian Regional Commission, funded an organization that discriminates against same-sex couples, the regional commission would not be able to terminate the grant.
   

Sec. 508: Pride flag ban
Section 508 would prohibit funds appropriated by the bill from being used to fly or display the pride flag (as well as other flags) over or within federal facilities.