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May 17, 2019This Friday, May 17, the U.S. House will vote on H.R. 5, the misnamed “Equality Act.” This bill would undermine current pro-life laws, including conscience protections for health care providers, and could be read to require taxpayer funding of abortion. H.R. 5 adds problematic “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” language to the definition of “sex” in the Civil Rights Act, threatening religious freedom, privacy, free speech, quality health care, and many charitable organizations.
By redefining “sex” to mean “pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition,” the bill could be construed to mandate that no hospital, doctor, employer, or government can “discriminate” against a woman by not allowing “services” that are unique to women, i.e. abortions. Lawsuits could be brought against all kinds of reasonable abortion regulations, potentially overturning laws like the Hyde Amendment that prevent taxpayer funds from paying for abortion through Medicaid, and upsetting conscience protection laws.
The Church seeks to promote justice and human dignity, and so Catholics are opposed to all unjust discrimination. But the “Equality Act” does not offer meaningful protections for individuals and instead undermines a host of other important laws and protections for people.
Contact your senators and representative today and urge them to oppose the “Equality Act!”
Background
News Release and letters from the four USCCB committees leading opposition to this bill: U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Reaffirm Authentic Human Dignity and Rights in Letter to Congress Opposing Equality Act
Letters:
