Diane Watson: “one of the most fundamental guiding principles of our Nation is that individuals should be judged on their talents…”

“one of the most fundamental guiding principles of our Nation is that individuals should be judged on their talents rather than on their heritage or their beliefs. It has been a long struggle for many Americans to secure the benefits of this principle. Even today, unfair discrimination prevents many Americans from achieving all they can. But most Americans can agree that our Federal Government should not sanction unfair discrimination but rather should fight it wherever it exists. Last week, Congress took a decision that compromised this principle. The passage of the Community Solutions Act last week by this House would permit groups to discriminate unfairly against certain Americans. Worse yet, the bill actually would take away the right of communities to establish their own antidiscrimination laws. Mr. Speaker, it is not too late for Congress to correct this House mistake. I encourage you to work with the Senate to see that any final version of this bill respects the rights of communities to enforce their own antidiscrimination laws and thereby protect one of our most cherished American principles.”