May 23, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 87 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              EQUALITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. DAVID B. McKINLEY

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 17, 2019

  Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, let me be clear: I oppose discrimination 
in all forms, and agree that individuals should have protections 
against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender. 
Unfortunately, H.R. 5, the Equality Act, is a radical overreach that 
goes beyond the scope of discrimination and would harm doctors, 
families, women, religious groups, and many others.
  The Equality Act fails to include conscience protections for doctors 
who have a moral or religious objection to the services they will be 
required to provide under the legislation. This bill would force 
doctors to forego their expertise and provide gender-affirming 
therapies, even if it goes against their best medical judgement. It 
could also force doctors and nurses to perform abortion-related 
services, regardless of their religious or moral objections.
  This legislation also harms protections for women's sports provided 
by Title IX. Women are already beginning to lose sporting competitions 
and scholarships to their biologically male competitors who identify as 
females. These women have worked hard for their achievements and 
deserve the chance to compete on a level playing field.
  Most importantly, the Equality Act would prevent parents from making 
health care choices that impact their own children and could even lead 
to parents losing custody of their children. In some states, like Ohio, 
this is already happening. A judge recently removed a biological girl 
from her parents custody after they did not allow her to take 
testosterone supplements to help her transition to a male. The federal 
government should not play a role in these important decisions.
  This legislation does not serve as a constructive path forward to 
addressing the issue of discrimination in our country. That is why I 
voted against the Equality Act. It is yet another example of a 
messaging bill that will not be taken up in the Senate and therefore, 
will never be signed into law. Isn't it time that Congress finally put 
American families ahead of divisive, partisan politics?

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