[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2654-H2655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MAKE FULL EQUALITY A REALITY

  (Mr. SCHNEIDER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, no American should face legal 
discrimination because of who they are or who they love.
  As a Nation, we have made stunning progress toward realizing this 
dream of full equality and acceptance for our LGBTQ family, friends, 
and neighbors. But despite our success, including repealing Don't Ask, 
Don't Tell and achieving marriage equality as the law of the land, 
there is more work to do.
  In many States across this country, LGBTQ individuals remain 
vulnerable to discrimination, with little recourse. Unlike other groups 
protected by civil rights laws, LGBTQ Americans can be fired from their 
jobs, evicted from their apartments, or refused service at

[[Page H2655]]

a restaurant simply because of who they are.
  The current patchwork of State laws is not enough.
  That is why I am proud to join with my colleagues to again introduce 
the Equality Act to ensure protections already extended to other 
protected classes are equally available to LGBTQ Americans.
  It is time we prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual 
orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, 
credit, Federal jury service, public accommodations, and the use of 
Federal funds.
  Let's make full equality a reality for all of us.

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