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Watch the House Debate the Equality Act Live

The bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing civil rights law.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) (C), addresses a rally and news conference with Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and leaders from LGBTQ advocacy organizations before the House votes on the Equality Act May 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. The openly gay politicians and their supporters called on the Republican-controlled Senate to pass the Equality Act, which would modify existing civil rights law to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBT Americans in employment, education, credit, jury service, federal funding, housing and public accommodations. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
By Jeff Taylor
May 17, 2019 / 10:59 AM

The U.S. House of Representatives is debating the Equality Act, which, if made into law, would add LGBTQ protections to existing civil rights law.

The Equality Act passed the House Judiciary Committee and is now on to a full vote in the House. If it passes in the House, it will move on to the Senate. President Trump has come out against it, with a spokesperson claiming it "is filled with poison pills that threaten to undermine parental and conscience rights."

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) (C) welcomes Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) to the lectern during a rally and news conference with Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) (R) and leaders from LGBTQ advocacy organizations before the House votes on the Equality Act May 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. The openly gay politicians and their supporters called on the Republican-controlled Senate to pass the Equality Act, which would modify existing civil rights law to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBT Americans in employment, education, credit, jury service, federal funding, housing and public accommodations. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) (C) welcomes Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) to the lectern during a rally and news conference with Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) (R) and leaders from LGBTQ advocacy organizations before the House votes on the Equality Act May 17, 2019 in Washington, DC.

"We’re disgusted, but certainly not surprised, by Donald Trump’s announcement that he opposes the Equality Act, which is supported by seven in ten Americans and more than two hundred major businesses,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement in response.

“By opposing this common sense civil rights legislation, Donald Trump is ensuring that LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired or denied housing in a majority of states. The LGBTQ community, and all Americans for that matter, deserve a president with the courage and decency to sign this bill into law, and we will continue the urgent work to pass the Equality Act and replace Donald Trump with a pro-equality president who will sign it into law.”

Fittingly, today also just happens to be International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Watch the debate play out on the House floor below.

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