WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 17, 2019) – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 5, the Equality Act:

“Discrimination based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, and religious beliefs is wrong, and our goal should always be that no American is discriminated against,” said Cathy. “While well intentioned, the Equality Act did not do enough to protect religious liberty. In fact, in some cases, the bill undermined the ability of religious organizations to provide vital services in our community without violating their strongly held religious beliefs. LGBTQ rights and religious freedom shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. We should be able to advance both without undermining one or the other. I did not support H.R. 5 because it failed to meet that goal.”

# # #