Democrats Urge Biden to Reject Funding Bills With Anti-LGBTQ+ Riders

House Republicans have spent this year tacking dozens of anti-LGBTQ+ “riders” onto essential funding bills, nearly leading to a government shutdown in October. Now, over 160 House Democrats have written to President Joe Biden and Congressional leadership to urge them to reject any bills with those riders attached.

The letter was sent on Wednesday to Biden, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Patty Murray, who serve on the House and Senate Appropriations committees respectively. Written by the Congressional Equality Caucus, it claims that Republicans “are attempting to hijack the appropriations process to restrict the rights and fundamental freedoms of LGBTQI+ people.”

As the letter notes, Republicans have attached dozens of anti-LGBTQ+ provisions to appropriations bills, with most of them falling into one of four categories. The gender-affirming care ban riders would restrict access to care and/or eliminate funding for providers. “License to discriminate” riders would allow for discrimination against LGBTQ+ people under the guise of “religious freedom,” and would prevent the federal government from restricting the flow of funds to organizations that cite religion to discriminate in hiring and other practices. Last but not least, Pride flag riders and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) riders would prevent federal funds from being used to fly Pride flags or implement DEI programs.

The White House seems to be aligned with the Equality Caucus. In a statement on Monday, the Biden administration said that if the President was presented with H.R. 4820, an appropriations bill, he would veto it, citing the “numerous new, partisan policy provisions” in the bill. The White House’s statement says that such riders can have “devastating consequences” that would threaten the health and safety of LGBTQ+ people.

The letter also expressly mentioned the state-level legislative attacks on transgender rights, which have intensified in 2023. “Transgender people deserve access to medically necessary, evidence-based health care,” the letter reads. “Gender-affirming care is safe and effective and is supported by every major medical association in the U.S., representing more than 1.3 million U.S. doctors.”

Although Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown in October, the legislative body only has until November 17 to approve funding bills in order to avert another shutdown. According to NBC News, Congress must pass 12 appropriations bills in order to fully fund the government.