Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise in support of H.R. 3485. I want to begin by expressing my profound gratitude to Chairman Meeks for his consistent, passionate, and powerful support of this bill and of the LGBTQI community broadly. He has been such a champion for our community. We would not be here today on this floor without his support, and we are grateful for that. Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Senator Shaheen, and Senator Portman for their partnership and leadership in making this legislation bipartisan and bicameral. Of course, I want to recognize and thank President Biden for his incredible commitment to LGBTQI equality here at home and around the world. With today's vote, the U.S. House will send a strong message across the world that every member of the LGBTQI community deserves to live with dignity and free from violence, unlawful detention, torture, and other forms of brutality. H.R. 3485, the Global Respect Act, builds on existing sanction authorities by requiring the President to deny visas to foreign nationals who commit gross human rights violations against members of the LGBTQI community. Let me be clear. This bill protects LGBTQI people from murder, torture, and other forms of violence. If you reject this proposal, you are saying people like me can be murdered and tortured with no consequence. Whether that is your intention or not, that is the impact of your vote.…”