House Democrats are set to move forward with legislation to expand the Civil Rights Act—a top legislative priority that faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
The bill, which would expand the 1964 law to ban discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender, is set to get a vote in the House as soon as Thursday.
House Democrats pledged shortly before last year’s midterm election that they would bring up the legislation if they won back the majority. They also gave the legislation a low bill number, H.R. 5, underscoring its importance to the House Democratic agenda.“LGBT Americans and their families deserve to be protected against all forms of discrimination no matter where they live,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), said on the floor. “This legislation would ban discrimination against LGBT people in housing, employment, education, jury service, credit and financing, and public accommodations.”The bill is expected to receive broad support from Democrats and centrists. Two Republicans have signed on as cosponsors — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and John Katko (R-N.Y.) — and with 240 cosponsors it’s all but guaranteed to pass the House this week.