Tag Archives: Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi Calls Passage Of LGBT Equality Act A 'Priority'

Nancy Pelosi Calls Passage Of LGBT Equality Act A ‘Priority’ Despite Biden Team’s Backpedaling

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A few weeks ago we reported that the Biden administration backpaddled on the LGBT Equality Act and the promise Joe Biden made during his election campaign that the Equality Act would be one of the first bills that would be passed and signed into law during his first 100 days because now they fear that they don’t have enough votes in the Senate to pass the bill with the razor thin new Democratic majority.

Regardless of the worry about Senate passage this week House Majority leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called passage of the Equality Act a “priority.” and that the House could vote on the legislation as early as March.

“I’m optimistic about it because I do think we will get strong bipartisan support in the House and in the Senate. We passed it in the last Congress. No success in the Senate. It went to Mitch McConnell’s graveyard, the ‘grim reaper,’” ” Pelosi said

Pelosi called the Equality Act “an early priority for us.” “And again, it’s about ending discrimination,” she added.

The Equality Act has faced a long and hard road since it was introduced it’s first time in Congress in 1973 by Bella Abzuz. Since then it has gone through, different incarnations: Notably as The Civil Rights Amendment of 1975 and since 1994 The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). ENDA was introduced in every Congress from the 110th. to the 115th. without passing.

Now almost 50 years later the Equality Act will be introduced once again in the hopes of it becoming law. Will this finally be the time that it passes both the House and the Senate and makes it to Joe Biden’s desk to sign?

Only (more) time will tell.

Nancy Pelosi Calls Passage Of LGBT Equality Act A 'Priority'

Nancy Pelosi: Democrats Will Introduce LGBT Equality Act Next Week

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Via the Washington Blade:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Thursday during her weekly news conference the Equality Act, legislation that would enact long sought-after federal protections against anti-LGBT legislation, would be introduced next week.

As it was previously introduced, the Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act to ban anti-LGBT discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, education, federal programs and credit.

The bill also seeks to update federal law to include sex in the list of protected classes in public accommodation in addition to expanding the definition of public accommodations to include retail stores, banks, transportation services and health care services.

Nancy Pelosi told the Washington Blade “we’ll see” when asked when she’d bring legislation to a floor vote, but was confident the House would approve it.

“As we go along, it’s the tempo of the floor, but it is a priority for us,” Pelosi said. “I’m very pleased because we have a great deal of outside support for it, which I hope will help us pass it in the Senate. We most certainly will pass it overwhelmingly in the House.”

The Republican controlled Senate is a different story

Nancy Pelosi Endorses Anti-Gay, Anti-Abortion Illinois Democrat Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski

Nancy Pelosi Endorses Anti-Gay, Anti-Abortion Illinois Democrat Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi,, said on Thursday that she supports Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Ill., and his bid for re-election, even as other Democrats have said they oppose him because he opposes legal abortion and LGBT rights.

The seven-term congressman from Chicago, who opposes abortion and voted against Obamacare, marriage equality and immigration reform, is the most conservative member of the House Democratic Caucus and so far right of center he might as well be a Republican but that doesn’t stop Pelosi.

“This is the Democratic Party. This is not a rubber-stamp party,” Pelosi said in an interview with the Washington Post in May.

Lipinski’s position on abortion and LGBT rights has drawn strong opposition from progressive and pro-abortion lawmakers such as Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., both of whom have endorsed his primary challenger, Marie Newman. Lipinski has not been endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. 

DNC President Tom Perez said, “Every Democrat, like every American, should support a woman’s right to make her own choices about her body and her health. That is not negotiable and should not change city by city or state by state.”

Lipinski said that “Democrats have to know that they’re going to have the full support [of the DCCC] even if they’re not straight in the party line,” and that the party will need candidates who are not straight in the party line if they want to win back a majority.

Pelosi’s support for Lipinski is even more puzzling given that, as a member of the House Democratic caucus, he’s consistently voted against Pelosi’s own reelection bids to serve as Democratic leader. 

Nancy Pelosi Zings Putin Over NYT Op-Ed: I Hope Equality Applies To ‘Gays And Lesbians In Russia’

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SNAP

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Thursday that she thought it was “great” that Vladimir Putin included a line in his controversial New York Times op-ed about all people being created equal under God.

But also gave Putin a verbal slap on in the face when she added that “I hope it applies to gays and lesbians in Russia as well,” during a Capitol Hill press conference.

To double down on the statement Pelosi (or her staff) took the comment to Twitter for all the world to see.

Great sound bite and you have to give it to her for actually saying something.

Nancy Pelosi

 

Nancy Pelosi To Remain House Minority Leader: “There’s so much more I want to do.”

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Rep. Nancy Pelosi told the House Democratic Caucus this morning that she will stay House Minority Leader.

According to a Democratic aide, Leader Pelosi told members of her caucus, “They say a picture is worth a million words. Well, this picture is worth millions of aspirations of the American people. This new class makes our caucus historic. The first time in legislative history that a caucus will be a majority of women and minorities.” “The message is clear from the American people,” she continued, echoing remarks she delivered at a press conference yesterday. “They want us to work together to get things done. And that’s what these folks are here to do. Just like all of you.”

Pelosi also said that she felt compelled to remain in leadership as Congress and President Obama embark on an effort to resolve a fiscal crisis that could jeopardize core government programs. And she vowed to work to limit the role of money in politics and to empower women in the workplace and the political arena.

We’re very happy that Nancy Pelosi will remain House Minority Speaker.

After all she and Joe Biden are the only Democrats in D.C. with balls running the government.

Married Bi-National Gay Couple Bradford Wells & Anthony John Makk Win Deportation Reprieve

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Back in August we reported on A story about how the U.S. Goverment was denying immigration rights to Bradford Wells & Anthony John Makk. Wells & Makk were legally married in Massachusetts in 2004, but thanks to DOMA their marriage is not federally recognized. Makk, who is a native of Australia, is Wells’ primary care-giver; Wells suffers from AIDS and has been ordered to leave the country.

But now thanks to the personal intervention of their representative, House leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif (and no thanks to the Obama Administration) Wells and  Makk, have won a two year stay against the threat of deportation.

“We’re still dizzy from the news,” said Makk. “We are elated.”

“I’m relieved, really excited and relieved,” Wells said. “I am so grateful I don’t have to worry about Anthony being taken out of the country.”

According to the letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Makk today saying he was granted “deferred action” on his case for two years because of  “an exercise of prosecutorial discretion” that allows the agency not to pursue deportation for a specific period.

Pelosi broke the news to the couple herself and issued a statement calling the resolution of the case “a personal victory for Bradford and Anthony” that “keeps this loving couple together.” She said she would continue to fight for repeal of DOMA.

Great news for Bradford Wells & Anthony John Makk but lets not forget that there are thousands of married gay couples who face the same haunting problems and more due to DOMA and who don’t have such powerful people step forward on their behalf. 

DOMA MUST GO NOW!

Source: SFGate

Dan Savage Hits The Weiner Right On The Head!

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Okay, I lied one more. I suppose you want me to resign now?

“A reporter asks if Weiner was drinking or using drugs—if he has a problem—because only a man who has a drinking problem or a drug problem could get caught up in something like this. Do reporters know what men are like? (And lots of women too?) This desire to pathologize behavior that isn’t sick—that is, indeed, very common and human and completely and instantly understandable—is itself pathological. Weiner does not have a problem. He has a computer. The whole world has Weiner’s problem: same old horniness, brand new box.”  – Dan Savage

Thank you, Dan. Very well written and on the money  I agree completely.

And as for Nancy Pelosi saying she wants an ethics investigation. Really Nancy? Lobbying, campaign finance violations, undue influence of foreign governments doesn’t bother you, but one of the strongest liberals in the House sending a dick pic does? Fuck you.

Jared Polis and The Progressive Caucus Push Nancy Pelosi on ENDA

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Jared Polis, as well as fellow Congressional Progressive Caucus members, co-chairs Rep. Lynn C. Woolsey and Rep. Raul Grijalva.  But this time rather than focusing only on the equality argument, the letter takes aim at ENDA’s economic necessity in a time of financial uncertainty,

“As our economy works to recover, now seems the right time to thrust the American workforce into the 21st century with legislation that addresses discriminatory workplace practices,” reads the missive, obtained by the Washington Blade and currently being circulated for signatures. “Already struggling with an unemployment rate of over 9 percent, the American worker should not need to contend with an employer’s personal discomfort or bias against the sexual orientation or gender identity of an employee. Turning a blind eye to harassment and discrimination against the LGBT community has too long been a stain on our otherwise proud record of worker protection.”

Thank you Jared and progressives but  considering that Pelosi has said ENDA won’t be approached until after DADT’s repeal makes it seem unapproachable for the next few years now and even if the House does pass it the Senate will still fuck it up.

But thanks at least for trying and not giving up.

*You can read the FULL Letter to Pelosi after the jump….

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
US House of Representatives
H 232, the Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Madam Speaker:

Members of the Progressive Caucus thank you for unrelenting support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and for making American jobs a top priority for the 111th Congress. Now is a dire time for the American worker and we believe, H.R. 3017, the Employee Nondiscrimination Act is a vital piece in our economic recovery. With the support of the Democratic leadership and the demonstrated commitment of the Administration, we believe this Congress will finally shut the door on employee discrimination.

For nearly 20 years progressive members of Congress have been fighting to end discrimination and create a fair and equitable workplace for the LGBT community. In a metaanalysis conducted by the Williams Institute, statistics revealed a persistent and unacceptable trend towards open harassment, unfair hiring practices, unwarranted firings and unequal pay. As a caucus concerned with open-minded and progressive views, we take exception to this blatant mistreatment.

As our economy works to recover, now seems the right time to thrust the American workforce into the 21st century with legislation that addresses discriminatory workplace practices. Already struggling with an unemployment rate of over 9 percent, the American worker should not need to contend with an employer’s personal discomfort or bias against the sexual orientation or gender identity of an employee. States that have adopted anti-discrimination laws report higher employee satisfaction and company morale. Unfortunately, there are only 20 states and the District of Columbia with these policies in place and 12 that also encompass thetransgender community.

Employment, promotions and retention should be based on merit and merit alone. For the individual this means a safe and productive work environment where there is a focus on results not a preoccupation with their choice in partner or gender identity. Employers, too, should set their sights on an egalitarian workplace that encourages a sense of community and teamwork. In fact, 94 percent of Fortune 100 companies have antidiscrimination policies protecting lesbian and gay employees and 60 percent protect transgender employees. The best companies hire, promote and retain the best talent, all of which is only made possible by creating a supportive and accepting environment.

ENDA will put the LGBT community on an even footing with every other employee. Turning a blind eye to harassment and discrimination against the LGBT community has too long been a stain on our otherwise proud record of worker protection. It is imperative to shine a light on this issue and add yet another achievement to this exceptionally accomplished Congress.

We look forward to working with you and to enact ENDA in the 111th Congress

Sincerely,
Raul Grijalva, CPC Co-Chair
Lynn Woolsey, CPC Co-Chair
Jared Polis, CPC Member