A Message from Tony Hoang, Valerie Ploumpis, & André Wade
Friends and advocates,
The nation’s toxic political environment, fueled by rampant misinformation, only intensified in the Presidential election year of 2024, giving rise to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence – especially against transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) youth and their parents. In 2024 alone, more than 530 bills to restrict basic civil rights were introduced in statehouses across the nation, spawning similarly hateful bills in Congress.
The scorecard you hold reflects the second half of the 118th Congress in which Republicans controlled the House and Democrats the Senate, both by extremely narrow margins. The unfortunate consequence of the ongoing bicameral divide was that none of Equality California’s federal legislative priorities made it to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
While the failure of our priority legislation is frustrating, the stalemate also meant that none of the anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed by the House in 2024 advanced in the Senate. These stalemated proposals would have blocked genderaffirming healthcare, banned the participation of transgender girls and women in school sports and professional leagues, required schools to forcibly out their transgender students, and compelled universities to fund religious student groups that discriminate against minority students, including LGBTQ+ students, students of color, and students with disabilities.
In sharp contrast to Congressional dysfunction, the Biden-Harris Administration took significant regulatory steps to advance and protect LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized communities. Among the dozens of pro-equality rules enacted in 2024 were rules to strengthen the Affordable Care Act’s nondiscrimination protections, ensure that LGBTQ+ students are explicitly covered under Title IX, and upgrade of the dishonorable discharge records of LGBTQ+ servicemembers who were expelled from the military. The Biden-Harris Administration also ensured that federally-funded child welfare system providers must place LGBTQ+ youth in affirming and safe living environments and that taxpayer-funded service providers cannot use their religious beliefs to deny healthcare services to patients who seek abortions, gender-affirming care or sterilization. The Biden-Harris Administration also designated LGBTQ+ seniors and older people living with HIV as populations of greatest social need, marking the first update of the Older Americans Act in decades.
The importance of a pro-equality Senate to cement the legacy of the Biden-Harris Administration is impossible to overstate – to date, 213 Biden-nominated judges have been confirmed.
Having district and federal courts that understand and reflect the lived experiences of all people may well be the refuge of LGBTQ+ and other impacted communities. Cases of deep concern to the LGBTQ+ community are on the Supreme Court’s current docket – among them, U.S. v Skrmetti (a challenge to Tennessee’s ban on puberty-blocking medication and gender-affirming hormone therapy for minors) and Garland v VanderStok (a challenge to Biden regulations on “ghost guns”). And an immigration case, Bouarfa v. Mayorkas, could have dangerous consequences for marriage rights for binational same-sex couples, visa and citizenship applications for LGBTQ+ immigrants, and noncitizens and their families— because federal courts could be blocked from even considering whether a mistake or blatant discrimination occurred in an immigration proceeding.
Equality California and Silver State Equality remain optimistic that our pro-equality legislative priorities will eventually be enacted. We are deeply thankful for the unwavering support from every California and Nevada Democrat in both chambers who stood with the LGBTQ+ community against the wave of dangerous legislation introduced in 2024. This support, along with pro-equality judicial appointments and regulatory progress, offers hope in these difficult times.
Together, Equality California and Silver State Equality are dedicated to leveraging every resource at our disposal to advance federal policies to defend and advance our community.
Until the work is done, Tony, André and Valerie
Tony
Hoang,
Executive Director, Equality California & Silver State Equality
André Wade, State Director, Silver State Equality
Valerie Ploumpis, National
Policy Director,
Equality California & Silver State
Equality
The 2024 scorecard covers three House floor votes on bills, all of which we strongly opposed, and co-sponsorship of six other priority bills. The 2024 Senate report card includes nine scored bills and an additional nine bills that were not scored.
Secure the Border Act - OPPOSED
H.R. 2 by Rep. Diaz-Balart [R-FL] and S. 2824 by Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX]
This anti-immigration bill would reinstate several of former President Trump’s most controversial border policies, including restarting construction of the southern border wall and increasing the number of border agents, dramatically limiting asylum eligibility, and establishment of an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system. Passed the House 219-213, but was not voted on in the Senate.
Parents Bill of Rights – OPPOSED
H.R. 5 by Rep. Julia Letlow [R-LA]
This forced outing bill would require middle schools to obtain parental consent before changing a student’s pronouns or preferred name or allowing a student to change their sex-based accommodations, like locker rooms or bathrooms. It would also require K-12 schools to allow parents to review all instructional, classroom and library materials. Passed the House 213-208, but was not voted on in the Senate.
Women’s Health Protection Act – SUPPORTED
H.R. 12 by Rep. Judy Chu [D-CA] and S. 701 by Sen. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI]
WHPA writes the right to abortion into federal law and provides clear guidance to states and courts about the rights of medical providers to deliver abortion services free from medically unnecessary and burdensome restrictions. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
SUPPORTED OPPOSED
Equality Act – SUPPORTED
H.R. 145 by Rep. Mark Takano [D-CA] and S. 5 by Sen. Jeff Merkeley [D-OR]
The Equality Act would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act and other existing federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination in public spaces and services and federally funded programs on the basis of sex, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Assault Weapons Ban - SUPPORTED
H.R. 698 by Rep. David Cicilline [D-RI] and S. 25 by Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
This bill would prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, importation, or possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon or large capacity ammunition feeding device. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Protection of Women and Girls in Sports – OPPOSED
H.R. 734 by Rep. Gregory Steube [R-FL] and S. 613 by Sen. Tommy Tuberville [R-AL]
This federal trans and intersex sports bill would effectively ban trans girls and women of all ages from participating on school sports teams and undermine the ability of intersex students to participate in school athletics. Passed the House 219-203, but was not voted on in the Senate.
LGBTQ+ Data Inclusion Act - SUPPORTED
H.R. 3970 by Rep. Raul Grijalva [D-AZ] and S. 1839 by Sen. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI]
This bill would facilitate the collection of voluntary, self-disclosed demographic data on sexual orientation, gender and variations in sex characteristics (intersex traits) in all federal surveys. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Therapeutic Fraud and Prevention Act - SUPPORTED
H.R. 4340 by Rep. Ted Lieu [D-CA] and S. 2176 by Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
The bill would prohibit commercial conversion therapy and does not apply to treatment that assists an individual undergoing a gender transition or facilitates identity exploration and development. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Safe School Improvement Act - SUPPORTED
H.R. 6031 by Reps. Linda Sánchez [D-CA] and S. 3105 by Sen. Robert Casey [D-PA]
SSIA would require schools to implement comprehensive anti-bullying and harassment policies that ensure the safety and well-being of their students, including youth who are bullied or harassed on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. It would also require restorative approaches to school discipline that minimize removal of students from learning communities. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
“As extreme MAGA state legislators across the country continue their assault on LGBTQ+ Americans, especially the trans community, the fight against bigotry and discrimination remains urgent as ever,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said. “The landmark Equality Act – twice passed by the Democratic House –would extend the crucial protections of the Civil Rights Act to all LGBTQ+ Americans, in the workplace and in every place.”
Equality California Legislation Supported But Not Scored 2024
Beyond our scored bills, Equality California and Silver State Equality’s Washington, DC-based office worked hard to advance a range of important legislative proposals that did not come to the House floor for a vote. All but one of these nine bills were introduced by Members of the California and Nevada Congressional delegation and are highlighted because they would be profoundly impactful to LGBTQ+ people and other communities to which we belong if they were to become law. We anticipate that these high priority bills will be reintroduced in the 119th Congress.
PrEP Access and Coverage Act
H.R. 4392 by Rep. Adam Schiff [D-CA] and S. 2188 by Sen. Tina Smith [D-MN]
This bill would require private health insurance plans to cover prescription drugs that prevent HIV, including related screenings, diagnostic procedures, fees, and clinical follow-ups, without cost-sharing for the plan holder. Coverage requirements would also apply to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Insurers would be prohibited from imposing preauthorization requirement for coverage, and from denying or qualifying coverage or increasing premiums for disability, longterm care, or life insurance policies for people on PrEP. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Act
H.R. 561 by Rep. Barbara Lee [D-CA] and S. 1031 by Sen. Tammy Duckworth [D-IL]
The EACH Act would restore abortion coverage to people who receive health care or insurance through the federal government by repealing the Hyde Amendment and prohibit state or local governments from restricting coverage of abortion by private health insurance plans. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
My Body, My Data Act
H.R. 3420 by Rep. Sara Jacobs [D-CA] and S. 1656 by Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This bill would limit the amount of personal reproductive health data collected by apps and websites that could be used to target or arrest people if abortion is criminalized, incl menstruation, ovulation, and pregnancy tracking apps. It would require the Federal Trade Commission to create a new national standard to protect personal reproductive health data. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Do No Harm Act
H.R. 2725 by Rep. Bobby Scott [D-VA] and S. 1206 by Sen. Cory Booker [D-NJ]
The Do No Harm Act would clarify that the original intent of the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) protects religious exercise but cannot be used to violate civil rights. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
U.S. Citizenship Act
H.R. 3194 by Representative Linda Sánchez [D-CA]
This comprehensive immigration reform bill would provide an earned path to citizenship, address the root causes of migration, and reform the visa system and prohibit discrimination against LGTBQ+ people and families. It would make it easier for graduates of U.S. universities with advanced STEM degrees stay in the U.S. and improve access to green cards for low-wage workers. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence
H.R. 4184 by Rep. Adam Schiff [D-CA] and S. 2048 by Sen. Blumenthal [D-CT]
This bill would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, a law that gives gun industry immunity from their dangerous products and business practices that endanger public safety. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
International Human Rights Defense Act
H.R. 1833 by Reps. Robert Garcia [D-CA] and S. 1007 by Sen. Ed Markey [D-MA]
This bill codifies the position of Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTQ+ Persons at the State Department; requires the Department to develop a global strategy to respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQ+ persons internationally; and codifies reporting on the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons in the State Department Country reports. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Greater Leadership Overseas for the Benefit of Equality [GLOBE] Act
H.R. 4050 by Rep. Dina Titus [D-NV] and S. 1924 by Sen. Ed Markey [D-MA]
The GLOBE Act would protect and promote LGBTQ+ rights around the world by using existing sanctions to punish countries that abuse LGBTQ+ people, ensure U.S. foreign assistance and global health programs include LGBTQ+ people, decriminalize LGBTQ+ status in rule-of-law programs, ensure fair access to asylum/ refugee programs for LGBTQ+ people who face persecution, direct the State Dept to issue non-binary (X-markers) on US passports, and clarify that children born abroad surrogacy or assisted reproductive technology to legally-married US citizen couples are awarded U.S. citizenship. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
Global Respect Act
H.R. 4422 by Rep. Sara Jacobs [D-CA] and S. 1960 by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D-NH]
The bipartisan GRA would impose visa sanctions on foreign individuals who have committed gross human rights violations against LGBTQ+ people. It also contains data reporting requirements. Neither the House nor the Senate voted on this bill.
“For 25 years, Equality California has been a beacon of light for the LGBTQ+ community, fighting for civil rights, justice, equality, and permanent positive change throughout our state and across the country. From education and advocacy to the courts to the State Capitol and the U.S. Capitol, their tireless work for the LGBTQ+ community is unmatched. I’m so grateful for their support and their championing of two of my bills – the My Body, My Data Act and the Global Respect Act, and I will keep working alongside them until everyone can live and love freely and authentically.
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51)
Methodology
In the scorecard that follows, the analysis of votes is based on House and Senate floor votes, as well as co-sponsorship of priority legislation that did not receive a vote on the House and/or Senate floors. Co-sponsoring or voting for pro-equality legislation are indicated by “1” while failing to cosponsor or vote for pro-equality legislation are indicated by “0”.
The overall score reflects officials’ votes for, or co-sponsorship of, legislation scored by Equality California and Silver State Equality as of December 31, 2023.
Please note:
An “A” indicates an absence due to family/medical leave or travel. Missed votes on scored legislation may be excused if: the legislator was a co-sponsor, or was absent from the floor on official business or due to family/medical leave or travel.
Supported, Not Scored Legislation
Members
DeSaulnier
Duarte
Kamlager-Dove
Kiley
Lieu
Supported, Not Scored Legislation Members
Supported, Not Scored Legislation
US SENATE NEVADA
Cortez
“From book bans to discriminatory attacks by state legislators, LGBTQ+ students are constantly told they are not allowed to be who they are. We must fight for their freedom to exist, to take up space, and to be unapologetically themselves.”
Sen. Laphonza Butler CA U.S. Senator
