Congresswoman Cori Bush Votes to Pass the Historic Equality Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, voted in favor of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which would explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity in areas including education, housing, employment, public accommodations, federally funded programs, credit and jury service. Earlier today, the Congresswoman spoke on the House Floor in support of the legislation.
Below are the Congresswoman’s remarks as prepared:
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
St. Louis and I rise today in support of the Equality Act because all people deserve to live safely and freely.
When we say that Black Lives matter, we mean that every Black life matters. That Black trans lives matter. That Nina Pop’s life mattered. When we protect the lives of our trans family, our unhoused neighbors, our sex workers, and our youth—we build a country where everyone can thrive, not just survive.
For so many in St. Louis, this bill will be the difference between life and death. Missouri has not only stalled justice but actively denied justice for our LGBTQIA+ community.
This legislation will mean the difference between having a safe place to call home and being unhoused because today, in the year 2021, that kind of discrimination is still allowed.
We rise to tell our LGBTQIA+ community that not only do you matter, but you are loved and you are cared for. And we’ve got your back.
Thank you, Chairman Nadler and Rep. Cicilline. I yield back.
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To watch and download the Congresswoman’s remarks, click here.
Congresswoman Cori Bush represents Missouri’s First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. She is also a Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a proud member of the Congressional Black Caucus. She is a registered nurse, single mother, and an ordained pastor. Following the murder of Michael Brown Jr. by a now-terminated Ferguson police officer, she became a civil rights activist and community organizer fighting for justice for Black lives on the streets of Missouri and across the country.