Sheila Jackson Lee: “I, too, rise in strong support of H.R. 3485, the Global Respect Act of 2021, which mandates a listing of and visa…”

“I, too, rise in strong support of H.R. 3485, the Global Respect Act of 2021, which mandates a listing of and visa restrictions on foreign persons responsible for or complicit in human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) persons. It is very difficult for these individuals to suffer what they suffer. This community, of course, faces discrimination, violence, and bigotry all over the world. Sixty-eight countries criminalize same-sex sexual relations, which means that more than one-third of the United Nations' member states criminalize consenting adult and same-sex sexual relations. It includes nation-states in Africa. In up to nine countries, same-sex sexual relations may be punishable by death, and so-called anti-LGBTQ-plus propaganda laws inhibit LGBTQ-plus advocacy in at least three countries. Let me thank Mr. Cicilline and the leadership for putting this bill forward. This is a bipartisan bill with a list of foreign individuals found responsible for human rights violations against this community. I am supporting this bill because it has teeth because it requires denial of and limitations on visas. Let me ask the Senate to pass Global Respect Act, H.R. 3485. ____________________”