CONGRESSMAN LIEU STATEMENT ON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE’S FIRST AMENDMENT DEFENSE ACT HEARING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WASHINGTON – Today – on the one-month anniversary of the tragic shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando – Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement at the conclusion of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s hearing on H.R. 2802, the so-called “First Amendment Defense Act.” If enacted, this legislation would prevent the federal government from taking action to prevent individuals or other entities from discriminating against same-sex couples and those who engage in extramarital affairs.

“It was disappointing that Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing on legislation that allows discrimination against LGBT individuals and single parents. And it was deeply insensitive to hold this hearing on the one-month anniversary of the tragic mass shooting in Orlando that targeted LGBT individuals.

H.R. 2802 is backwards in so many ways. If it were to pass, schools could refuse to accept the child of LGBT parents; single parents could be fired from their jobs or lose their homes; and health insurance companies could deny coverage to same-sex couples. These are only a few of the potential consequences.

But this bill is not just backwards, it is also dangerous. It would take one particular religious belief of one religion and elevate it to secular law, which would irresponsibly erode the First Amendment.

America is great because we are a democracy, not a theocracy. As has been noted, Members of Congress place their hand on a bible and swear an oath to protect the Constitution – not the other way around.”

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The full video of the hearing can be found HERE.

The full transcript of the hearing can be found HERE.

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