Now it will go to the Senate where a 60 ‘yes’ vote majority is needed in order for the bill to become law.
Three Republicans also voted in favor of this bill. Reps. John Katko (R-N.Y.), Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.)
The bill was passed by the House in 2019 but failed to pass in the Republican controlled Senate. The bill faces an uphill battle again in 2021.
The bill would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Jury Selection and Services Act by extending existing protections to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Madam speaker, discrimination is wrong. As children, we learn the golden rule: treat others the way you yourself want to be treated. Right now discrimination is a fact of life for millions of LGBTQ Americans.
The fact is that in most states an LGBTQ person is at risk of being denied housing, education, or serve on a jury because of who they are. That’s why we are here to consider HR 5, the Equality Act. The equality act does no more and no less than say LGBTQ people deserve the same rights and responsibilities as all other Americans — most fundamentally the right to live lives free of discrimination.
David Cicilline (D-R.I.) before the votes
Ban The Bible
Even though the bill is said not to be an infringement against religious liberties and beliefs, there are many that heavily criticize the bill and fear it would essentially ban the Bible.
The following is from World Israel News:
The Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), an American rabbinic group, called on Wednesday for the rejection of the Equality Act as “a direct attack on Jewish religious values and practices.”
The Equality Act, H.R. 5, is slated to be voted on Thursday in the House of Representatives.
In a letter sent Friday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the CJV argued that according to the Equality Act, a person is deemed “bigoted” if he or she adheres to traditional Jewish doctrine, if not in so many words.
For example, the text refers to “the sex stereotype that marriage should only be between heterosexual couples” as a discriminatory belief.
The Equality Act expressly declares that the Book of Genesis [see 2:24] and all of the Jewish laws pertaining to marriage as a sanctified union between man and woman (called “kiddushin” in Hebrew, from the word “kadosh,” Holy) are nothing more than engagement in discriminatory stereotypes. This is a disgraceful attack upon Jewish Biblical beliefs, rendered no more excusable by the fact that other traditional religious groups have similar tenets.
The letter also lists other aspects of observant Jewish practices which would be grounds for a discrimination complaint under the proposed legislation, including separate seating at weddings, single-gender dancing, and even separate hours for swimming.
A law which would require recognition of the gender a person prefers to be… would demand we cease to operate in accordance with our sincerely held beliefs, moral values and religious education — expressly violating our religious liberty.
The rabbis
It is outrageous that Congress would declare us bigoted for simply maintaining our time-honored traditions.
And it is no mere insult; the law even explicitly rejects religious freedom as a defense, meaning it provides Anti-Semites with a new way to persecute the religious Jewish community.
Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer Chairman of the CJV Rabbinic Circle.
Indeed, the Equality Act is the first time in history that legislation would deny protections found in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.
The Equality Act has the potential to bring the United States’ centuries-long history of respecting and providing robust protection for our religious beliefs and liberties to an abrupt and ignominious end.
The conclusion of the letter
CJV represents over 1500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in matters of public policy.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
[13] Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. [14] And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.Acts 21:13-14
I think all we can do at this point is simply pray that the Lord’s will be accomplished. This is a nation that hates and despises the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. America is nothing but a zombified corpse of a nation that goes against everything it was founded upon. At least 10 Republicans will have to vote in favor of the bill for it to become law. I am doubtful that will happen, but we shall see.
[15] The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. [16] The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. [17] The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. [18] For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. [19] Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. [20] Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.Psalm 9:15-20
[12] Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. [13] The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. [14] From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. [15] He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. [16] There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. [17] An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. [18] Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; [19] To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. [20] Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. [21]For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. [22] Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.Psalm 33:12-22
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