Equality Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, as a woman, as a feminist, as someone who lettered in basketball and truly believes in women's sports, this is the Equality Act. Any misrepresentation by some speakers today is just totally unfounded.

While we have made much progress in recent years, the reality is that many still face discrimination simply because of who they are and who they love. That means that LGBTQ Americans can be fired, refused housing, or denied services simply because of who they are.

I am a proud original cosponsor, and I am also a woman of faith. I know that this Equality Act would help greatly to extend civil rights and civil liberties for the LGBTQ community, to live out the true meaning of our Nation's creed, free from the fear of harassment or discrimination.

Updating Federal law will provide protections across key areas of life, including employment, housing, and access to public spaces and services. This bill has nothing to do with abortion, nothing to do with some of the things my colleagues across the aisle have said.

And in my home State of Texas, we will finally have protections for the LGBTQ Texans.

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