House Passes LGBTQ-Rights Bill; Faces Long Odds in Senate
- Equality Act would cover gender identity, sexual orientation
- Some Republicans say bill infringes on religious freedom
Photographer: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, though Senate rules could make it difficult to get the measure to President Joe Biden to sign into law.
Even though the bill, H.R. 5, passed 224-206 in the House, it would need at least 60 votes to clear the 100-member Senate. Many Republicans, who control 50 seats, oppose the measure, saying it infringes on religious freedom.