Federal - HR 5

The So-Called "Equality Act"

Introduced

February 18, 2021

Description

H.R. 5 (Rep. Ciciline D-RI) contains language that could be construed to create a right to demand abortion from health care providers, and likely would place at risk the authority of state and federal government to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions. 

The Equality Act amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by defining "sex" to include "pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition." It is well established that abortion will be regarded as a "related medical condition." S. 788 goes on to expand this anti-discrimination provision by stating that "pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition shall not receive less favorable treatment than other physical conditions," and would add "establishments that provide health care" to the list of covered "public accommodations." What these provisions will mean, taken together, is that health care establishments and individuals providing healthcare will be required to provide abortion as a "treatment" for pregnancy.  H.R. 5's new definition of "public accommodations" includes any "establishment that provides health care."

The bill has an additional rule of construction that the term "establishment…shall not be construed to be limited to a physical facility or place." These provisions would apply to individual health care providers who object to abortion, including those with religious objections.  These pro-abortion requirements may also remove the ability of non-physical entities like federal and state governments to exclude abortion from health care coverage, as under the Hyde Amendment.  

National Right to Life Committee opposed passage of H.R. 5, which passed the House, 224-206, on February 25 , 2021 (House Roll Call No. 39). The bill was supported by 221 Democrats and 3 Republicans. It was opposed by 206 Republicans. 2 Republicans did not vote.

 

Our Position

Oppose

Original Sponsor 1

Co-Sponsors 224

Latest Actions See More/Less

  • March 17, 2021 — Full committee hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

  • March 2, 2021 — Placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under the provisions of Rule XIV. Congressional Record p. S997

  • March 2, 2021 — Taken from the desk and read the first time. (In the legislative day that began on Monday, March 1, 2021.) Congressional Record p. S990, S996

  • March 1, 2021 — Received in the Senate and held at the desk. Congressional Record p. S953

  • Feb. 25, 2021 — Boebert, R-Colo., House speech: Personal explanation for roll call vote no.39, and would have voted nay if present. Congressional Record p. H660

  • Feb. 25, 2021 — House Vote 40 LGBTQ Anti-Discrimination Protections — Motion to Table
    Cicilline, D-R.I., motion to table (kill) the Kildee, D-Mich., motion to reconsider the preceding vote, by which the House passed, 224-206, the Equality Act (HR 5). Following the vote on passage of the HR 5, Rep. Rosendale, R-Mont., objected to the routine request that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; Rep. Kildee made a motion to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed; and Rep. Cicilline moved to table the Kildee motion to reconsider. Motion agreed to 211-195. Note: 39 members voted remotely by proxy, pursuant to the provisions of H Res 8 during the public health emergency period related to COVID-19. Congressional Record p. H660-H661

  • Feb. 25, 2021 — Kildee, D-Mich., motion to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed, 224-206, tabled by roll call vote, 211-195. Congressional Record p. H660-H661

  • Feb. 25, 2021 — House Vote 39 LGBTQ Anti-Discrimination Protections — Passage
    Passage of the bill that would prohibit discrimination or segregation based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity under 1964 Civil Rights Act protections, including in public facilities, public education, federal assistance programs, employment, jury service and areas of public accommodation. It would expand the definition of "public accommodations" to include transportation services and any establishment providing a good, service or program -- including retailers, health care facilities and legal services. The bill would define "gender identity" as "gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual," regardless of designated sex at birth. It would also allow the Justice Department to intervene in equal protection cases regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Passed 224-206. Note: A "yea" was a vote in support of the president's position. Pursuant to the provisions of H Res 8, members were able to vote remotely by proxy during the public health emergency period related to COVID-19. Congressional Record p. H660

  • Feb. 25, 2021 — Considered by the House. Congressional Record p. H633-H661

  • Feb. 24, 2021 — Stauber, R-Minn., House speech: Personal explanation for roll call vote no.35, and would have voted nay if present. Congressional Record p. H610

  • Feb. 24, 2021 — House Vote 35 Wilderness Designations; LGBTQ Anti-Discrmination Protections — Rule
    Adoption of the rule (H Res 147) that would provide for House floor consideration of the Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act (HR 803) and the Equality Act (HR 5). The rule would provide up to 90 minutes of debate on HR 5; up to one hour of general debate on HR 803; make in order floor consideration of 29 amendments to HR 803; and provide for automatic adoption of a Grijalva, D-Ariz., manager's amendment to HR 803. The manager's amendment would make clarifying changes regarding the boundaries of lands included in the new San Gabriel National Recreation Area and administration of the expanded San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in California. Adopted 218-208. Note: Pursuant to the provisions of H Res 8, members were able to vote remotely by proxy during the public health emergency period related to COVID-19. Congressional Record p. H609-H610

  • Feb. 24, 2021 — House Vote 34 Wilderness Designations; LGBTQ Anti-Discrmination Protections — Previous Question
    Scanlon, D-Pa., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 147) that would provide for House floor consideration of the Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act (HR 803) and the Equality Act (HR 5). The rule would provide up to 90 minutes of debate on HR 5; up to one hour of general debate on HR 803; make in order floor consideration of 29 amendments to HR 803; and provide for automatic adoption of a Grijalva, D-Ariz., manager's amendment to HR 803. The manager's amendment would make clarifying changes regarding the boundaries of lands included in the new San Gabriel National Recreation Area and administration of the expanded San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in California. Motion agreed to 219-211. Note: 35 members voted remotely by proxy, pursuant to the provisions of H Res 8 during the public health emergency period related to COVID-19. Congressional Record p. H608-H609

  • Feb. 23, 2021 — Rules Committee resolution, H Res 147, reported to the House as a rule for HR 5.

  • Feb. 23, 2021 — Statement of Administration Policy issued by Office of Management and Budget.

  • Feb. 23, 2021 — House Rules Committee granted a closed rule providing for consideration of the bill. Congressional Record p. H584

  • Feb. 23, 2021 — Full committee proceeding held by the House Rules Committee.

  • Feb. 23, 2021 — Companion measure, S 393, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

  • Feb. 22, 2021 — Additional cosponsor(s): 1

    Gonzalez, (D-Texas)

  • Feb. 18, 2021 — Cicilline, D-R.I., Submits a constitutional authority statement on the legislation. Congressional Record p. H535

  • Feb. 18, 2021 — Original cosponsor(s): 223

    Adams, (D-N.C.)Grijalva, (D-Ariz.)Panetta, (D-Calif.)
    Aguilar, (D-Calif.)Haaland, (D-N.M.)Pappas, (D-N.H.)
    Allred, (D-Texas)Harder, (D-Calif.)Pascrell (D-N.J.)
    Auchincloss, (D-Mass.)Hastings, (D-Fla.)Payne (D-N.J.)
    Axne, (D-Iowa)Hayes, (D-Conn.)Pelosi, (D-Calif.)
    Barragan, (D-Calif.)Higgins, B. (D-N.Y.)Perlmutter, (D-Colo.)
    Bass, (D-Calif.)Himes, (D-Conn.)Peters, S. (D-Calif.)
    Beatty, (D-Ohio)Horsford, (D-Nev.)Phillips, (D-Minn.)
    Bera, (D-Calif.)Houlahan, (D-Pa.)Pingree, (D-Maine)
    Beyer (D-Va.)Hoyer, (D-Md.)Plaskett, (D-V.I.)
    Bishop, S. (D-Ga.)Huffman, (D-Calif.)Pocan, (D-Wis.)
    Blumenauer, (D-Ore.)Jackson Lee, (D-Texas)Porter, (D-Calif.)
    Blunt Rochester, (D-Del.)Jacobs, (D-Calif.)Pressley, (D-Mass.)
    Bonamici, (D-Ore.)Jayapal, (D-Wash.)Price, (D-N.C.)
    Bowman, (D-N.Y.)Jeffries, (D-N.Y.)Quigley, (D-Ill.)
    Boyle, (D-Pa.)Johnson, E.B. (D-Texas)Raskin, (D-Md.)
    Brown, A. (D-Md.)Johnson, H. (D-Ga.)Rice, K. (D-N.Y.)
    Brownley, (D-Calif.)Jones, (D-N.Y.)Ross, (D-N.C.)
    Bush, (D-Mo.)Kahele, (D-Hawaii)Roybal-Allard, (D-Calif.)
    Bustos, (D-Ill.)Kaptur, (D-Ohio)Ruiz, (D-Calif.)
    Butterfield, (D-N.C.)Keating, (D-Mass.)Ruppersberger, (D-Md.)
    Bourdeaux, (D-Ga.)Kelly, R. (D-Ill.)Rush, (D-Ill.)
    Carbajal, (D-Calif.)Khanna, (D-Calif.)Ryan, T. (D-Ohio)
    Cardenas, (D-Calif.)Kildee, (D-Mich.)Sablan, (I-N. Marianas)
    Carson, (D-Ind.)Kilmer, (D-Wash.)San Nicolas, (D-Guam)
    Cartwright, (D-Pa.)Kim, (D-N.J.)Sanchez, (D-Calif.)
    Case, (D-Hawaii)Kind, (D-Wis.)Sarbanes, (D-Md.)
    Casten, (D-Ill.)Kirkpatrick, (D-Ariz.)Scanlon, (D-Pa.)
    Castor, (D-Fla.)Krishnamoorthi, (D-Ill.)Schakowsky, (D-Ill.)
    Castro, (D-Texas)Kuster, (D-N.H.)Schiff, (D-Calif.)
    Chu, (D-Calif.)Lamb, (D-Pa.)Schneider, (D-Ill.)
    Clarke, Y. (D-N.Y.)Langevin, (D-R.I.)Schrader, (D-Ore.)
    Clark, K. (D-Mass.)Larsen, R. (D-Wash.)Schrier, (D-Wash.)
    Cleaver (D-Mo.)Larson, J. (D-Conn.)Scott, D. (D-Ga.)
    Clyburn, (D-S.C.)Lawrence, (D-Mich.)Scott, R. (D-Va.)
    Cohen, (D-Tenn.)Lawson, (D-Fla.)Sewell, (D-Ala.)
    Connolly, (D-Va.)Lee, B. (D-Calif.)Sherman, (D-Calif.)
    Cooper, (D-Tenn.)Lee, (D-Nev.)Sherrill, (D-N.J.)
    Correa, (D-Calif.)Leger Fernandez, (D-N.M.)Sires, (D-N.J.)
    Costa, (D-Calif.)Levin, (D-Mich.)Slotkin, (D-Mich.)
    Courtney, (D-Conn.)Levin, (D-Calif.)Smith, Adam (D-Wash.)
    Craig, (D-Minn.)Lieu, (D-Calif.)Soto, (D-Fla.)
    Crist, (D-Fla.)Lofgren, (D-Calif.)Spanberger, (D-Va.)
    Crow, (D-Colo.)Lowenthal, (D-Calif.)Speier, (D-Calif.)
    Cuellar, (D-Texas)Luria, (D-Va.)Stanton, (D-Ariz.)
    Davids, (D-Kan.)Lynch, (D-Mass.)Stevens, (D-Mich.)
    Davis, D. (D-Ill.)Malinowski, (D-N.J.)Strickland, (D-Wash.)
    Dean, (D-Pa.)Maloney, C. (D-N.Y.)Suozzi, (D-N.Y.)
    DeFazio, (D-Ore.)Maloney, S.P. (D-N.Y.)Swalwell, (D-Calif.)
    DeGette, (D-Colo.)Manning, (D-N.C.)Takano, (D-Calif.)
    DeLauro, (D-Conn.)Matsui, (D-Calif.)Thompson, B. (D-Miss.)
    DelBene, (D-Wash.)McBath, (D-Ga.)Thompson, M. (D-Calif.)
    Delgado, (D-N.Y.)McCollum, (D-Minn.)Titus, (D-Nev.)
    Demings, (D-Fla.)McEachin, (D-Va.)Tlaib, (D-Mich.)
    DeSaulnier, (D-Calif.)McGovern, (D-Mass.)Tonko, (D-N.Y.)
    Deutch, (D-Fla.)McNerney, (D-Calif.)Torres, (D-Calif.)
    Dingell, (D-Mich.)Meeks, (D-N.Y.)Torres, (D-N.Y.)
    Doggett, (D-Texas)Meng, (D-N.Y.)Trahan, (D-Mass.)
    Doyle, (D-Pa.)Mfume, (D-Md.)Trone, (D-Md.)
    Escobar, (D-Texas)Moore, (D-Wis.)Underwood, (D-Ill.)
    Eshoo, (D-Calif.)Morelle, (D-N.Y.)Vargas, (D-Calif.)
    Espaillat, (D-N.Y.)Moulton, (D-Mass.)Veasey, (D-Texas)
    Evans, (D-Pa.)Mrvan, (D-Ind.)Vela, (D-Texas)
    Fletcher, (D-Texas)Murphy, S. (D-Fla.)Velazquez, (D-N.Y.)
    Foster, (D-Ill.)Nadler, (D-N.Y.)Wasserman Schultz, (D-Fla.)
    Frankel, (D-Fla.)Napolitano, (D-Calif.)Waters, Maxine (D-Calif.)
    Fudge, (D-Ohio)Neal, (D-Mass.)Watson Coleman, (D-N.J.)
    Gallego, (D-Ariz.)Neguse, (D-Colo.)Welch, (D-Vt.)
    Garamendi, (D-Calif.)Newman, (D-Ill.)Wexton, (D-Va.)
    Garcia, (D-Ill.)Norcross, (D-N.J.)Wild, (D-Pa.)
    Garcia, (D-Texas)Norton, (D-D.C.)Williams, (D-Ga.)
    Golden, (D-Maine)O'Halleran, (D-Ariz.)Wilson, F. (D-Fla.)
    Gomez, (D-Calif.)Ocasio-Cortez, (D-N.Y.)Yarmuth, (D-Ky.)
    Gottheimer, (D-N.J.)Omar, (D-Minn.)
    Green, A. (D-Texas)Pallone (D-N.J.)

  • Feb. 18, 2021 — Read twice and referred to: House Administration, House Education and Labor, House Financial Services, House Judiciary, House Oversight and Reform.Congressional Record p. H529-H530