George Santos: “In March, I introduced H.R. 1736, also known as the Equality and Fiscal Accountability Protection Act of 2023. This bill…”

“In March, I introduced H.R. 1736, also known as the Equality and Fiscal Accountability Protection Act of 2023. This bill will cut off the cash faucet the U.S. Government gives away to countries such as Uganda that persecutes, criminalizes, or discriminates against individuals based on their sexual orientation. Since June is Pride Month, I thought this bill would be a great way to remind the American people and this body that the best way to celebrate the history and achievements of gay rights is to stand up to countries actively oppressing the LGBT community. Many countries are light-years behind everything we have worked for to be treated civilly and humanely in this country. In fact, many countries are still persecuting their citizens for the simple fact that they are gay. Uganda is just one of many countries executing and prosecuting its people based on their sexual orientation; however, they received hundreds of millions of dollars in 2022 alone from President Biden's emergency plan for AIDS relief, or PEPFAR. While waving rainbow flags and changing corporate logos is pleasant enough lipservice and virtue signaling, we need to send a clear message that the United States will not offer Federal aid to countries that habitually violate basic human rights based on sexual orientation. We, as a Nation, have a responsibility to stand up for the human rights of all people, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. ____________________”