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

September 28, 2023
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Equality Caucus released the following statement condemning House passage of H.R. 4665, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024.

"At a time when many countries are considering and passing laws to further criminalize the LGBTQI+ community, extreme MAGA Republicans in the House are using the appropriations process to restrict the United States' ability to defend the human rights of LGBTQI+ people around the world," said Equality Caucus Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02). "The riders included in the bill would have detrimental impacts on America's ongoing foreign policy efforts around the world and highlight the relentless bigotry of extremist politicians in Congress."

The State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill included the following riders:

Gender-Affirming Care Rider and Trans Gag Rule – Sec. 7070(e)

This rider 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 for minors; 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.

Every major medical and mental health association in the U.S., representing more than 1.3 million U.S. doctors, supports age-appropriate gender-affirming care for transgender people. This includes the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Endocrine Society, among other organizations.

Special Envoy Rider – Sec. 7064

This rider would prohibit 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. This rider would also prohibit funding for other Special Envoys, including—but not limited to—the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, the Special Envoy for Global Food Security, and Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues.

Drag Show Riders – Sec. 7070(a)

This rider prohibits funds appropriated by the Act from being used for drag queen workshops, performances, or documentaries.

More than 40 anti-drag bills have been introduced across the country this year, and several have been signed into law. These attacks are part of a wave of anti-LGBTQI+ legislation; more than 520 anti-equality bills have been introduced in the states this year and more than 75 have been signed into law. Proponents of drag bans have falsely accused drag queens of "grooming children" and have falsely labeled all drag shows as sexually explicit.

Pride Flag Riders – Sec. 7070 (f)

This rider prohibits funds from being used to fly Pride flags at covered facilities.

Flying Pride flags is a way for the Department of State and embassies to illustrate their commitment to inclusion of LGBTQ+ servicemembers and their families. LGBTQ+ people deserve to be seen, valued, and represented for their contributions.

DEI EO Riders – Sec. 7070(c)

This rider prohibits funds appropriated by the bill from being made available to implement, administer, apply, enforce, or carry out:

All these Executive Orders are LGBTQI-inclusive.

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