Civil Rights

I am privileged to represent one of the most diverse Congressional districts in the entire nation. New York’s Fifth Congressional District embodies our country’s proud history as a melting pot of different cultures, and I am dedicated to ensuring equality for everyone, regardless of race, religion, age, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. 

Unfortunately, despite the social progress that we have made as a country, hatred and bigotry still exist in the United States. Hate crimes harm not only the victim, but entire communities.  Criminal penalties and prosecutorial efforts must be sufficiently aggressive to reflect our shared values against bigoted, violent acts of hatred.

I was a cosponsor of recently enacted hate-crimes legislation that closes the gap in our federal laws by expanding our definition of hate crimes to prosecute all perpetrators of these despicable acts of violence. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act provides the Justice Department and local law enforcement with the tools they require to combat and prosecute criminals. Without these reforms, violent acts of hatred could be committed against an individual based on gender or sexual orientation without triggering federal hate crimes laws. 

The House has also acted to end discrimination in the workplace. Ensuring equal pay and fair treatment for all employees, regardless of their gender, is not only a moral imperative, but will also provide greater economic security for all workers. 

Lilly Ledbetter worked for nearly two decades at a Goodyear Tire and Rubber facility in Alabama. She sued the company after learning that she was the lowest-paid supervisor at the plant, despite having more experience than several of her male counterparts. A jury found that her employer had unlawfully discriminated against her on the basis of gender. However, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Ledbetter had waited too long to sue, despite the fact that she filed a charge as soon as she received an anonymous note alerting her to pay discrimination.

The high court's flawed Ledbetter decision allowed employers to escape responsibility for discriminating compensation practices by keeping their discrimination hidden. Fortunately, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Actwas signed into law by President Obama in January, and hasrestored legal protection as it was prior to the Supreme Court’s decision. Workers like Lilly are now protected, as are many others who have been discriminated against, including discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or disability. 

I am also a leading advocate to end the Department of Defense’s discriminatory policy against gays and lesbians serving in the Armed Forces. Since “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was implemented in 1994, over 12,500 gay and lesbian service members have been discharged.  As the United States has fought wars in Afghanistan and in Iraq, almost 800 mission-critical troops and at least 59 Arabic and 9 Farsi linguists were discharged because the Department of Defense believed that they were gay.  It’s long past time that we end this self-defeating policy and promote equality among America’s servicemen and women, regardless of their sexual orientation.

I am proud to be a leading fighter in Congress to end discrimination. While our nation has made great progress, there is much work to be done. You can be assured that I will continue to fight for equality for all Americans and an end to hatred and bigotry.