Equality Caucus Condemns Passage of Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill

November 1, 2023
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Equality Caucus released the following statement condemning House passage of H.R. 4364, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2024.

"In 2013, I had to fight for my marriage to be recognized so my husband could receive his House Spouse ID. Now, a decade later, Republicans are using this bill to bring us back to a time where Legislative Branch employees and contractors can discriminate against me and other members and staff in same-sex marriages," said Equality Caucus Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02). "Discrimination against same-sex couples was wrong in 2013, and these attempts to continue that discrimination are wrong now. Allowing anyone to be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love is un-American and has no place in our laws."

The Legislative Branch bill included the following rider:

"License to Discriminate" Rider – Sec. 212

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. For example:

  • If a Capitol Police Officer denied the same-sex spouse of a member of Congress entry to an event open to members and their spouses, the Officer could not be properly penalized for this conduct.
  • If a benefits counselor refused to process benefits-related applications and changes for the same-sex spouse of a member of Congress or an employee, the counselor could not be properly penalized for this conduct.
  • If a food vendor is contracted to provide meals during new member orientation and their employees refuse to serve the same-sex spouses of members of Congress, the House could not terminate the contract.

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Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, including intersex traits. The Caucus is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQI+ people in the U.S. and around the world.