Fighting for Civil Rights & Equality

Equal treatment and opportunity are fundamental rights for all Americans. For decades, Hawaiʻi leaders like Senator Daniel Inouye, Senator Daniel Akaka, and Congresswoman Patsy Mink broke down barriers, challenged the status quo, and fought to ensure a better future for the next generation. Tulsi is continuing their work in Congress today by fighting against discrimination in all forms, and promoting equal opportunities for all. 

Expanding Federal Protection Against Discrimination 
Discrimination on the basis of national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, gender, or race undermines core American principles of respect and individual freedom. Tulsi has cosponsored and strongly supported legislation like The Equality Act, which would add sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity to the list of protected classes under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. H.R. 3185 would expand federal protections to end discrimination in public accommodations, state and local government services, public education, federal financial assistance, employment, housing, credit, and federal jury service. Tulsi has also cosponsored legislation like the Equality for All Resolution (H.Res.208), the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R.197), the Healthy Families Act (H.R.932), and the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R.377).

Securing Equal Marriage Rights
Government and political leaders should not be permitted to dictate the most personal aspects of our lives. As long as the government administers marriages and its benefits, it must remain neutral and treat all Americans equally. The government should allow those in same-sex relationships the right to marry and enjoy the same benefits, rights, and responsibilities as opposite-sex married couples. Tulsi has received the Human Rights Campaign endorsement and is continuing to work with partners at the federal, state, and local level to ensure all individuals are treated equally under the law regardless of race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Empowering Citizens to Vote and Protecting Voting Rights
Our nation is founded on the principles of an active, engaged democracy, and we are at our best when the diverse voices of our nation are heard through our citizens exercising their right to vote. In Hawaiʻi, voter participation in has been declining since 1959, and in the last few elections, our voter participation rates have been among the lowest in the country, with less than half of registered voters actually turning out to vote. Tulsi has strongly supported legislation to make the voter registration process easier and make voting more accessible. She is a co-sponsor of legislation like the Voter Empowerment Act (H.R.12), which would require every state to make online voter registration available, authorize automated and same-day registration, and make elections more accessible to the disabled and other underserved groups. Additionally, she supports bringing back the Voting Rights Act and ensuring this right that so many fought and died for is revered and protected.