Senates rejection equal rights bill
You're likely referring to the Senate's rejection of the Equality Act, a bill that aimed to provide federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and ensure equal rights under the law.
On July 20, 2020, the United States Senate voted 49-50 against advancing the Equality Act, a bill that would have amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill would have prohibited discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, credit, and education, as well as in public accommodations and healthcare.
The Equality Act was introduced in Congress in March 2019 and was passed by the House of Representatives in May 2020 with a vote of 236-173. However, the bill faced strong opposition from Republican senators, who argued that it would infringe on religious freedoms and create new legal liabilities for businesses.
The Senate's rejection of the Equality Act was a significant setback for the LGBTQ+ community, which has long advocated for federal protections against discrimination. While some states have enacted their own laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, the lack of federal protections means that many people in the community still face discrimination and harassment in various areas of life.
Despite the setback, advocates for LGBTQ+ rights continue to push for federal protections and are exploring other avenues to achieve their goals. The Equality Act is expected to be reintroduced in the next Congress, and there are ongoing efforts to pass state-level legislation and implement administrative changes to protect LGBTQ+ individuals.