Skip to main content

Norton Says House Democrats Rally for D.C. in Fight Against Republicans’ Attempt to Overturn Local D.C. Anti-Discrimination Bill

April 21, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said she was gratified by the strong public statements by House Democrats in opposition to today's House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) markup of a disapproval resolution to overturn the District of Columbia Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act (RHNDA), which would prohibit employers from discriminating against employees, their spouses, and their dependents because of their private reproductive health decisions. Today's markup at 5:00 p.m. in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building is the first D.C. disapproval resolution marked up by OGR in more than two decades. Statements of support for the District's right to home rule have come from House Democratic leaders, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), OGR Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI), as well as House Pro-Choice Caucus co-chairs Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO). In addition, a group of 20 religious, interfaith, and civil liberties organizations today sent a letter to OGR urging the committee to reject any and all congressional attempts that would prevent RHNDA from taking effect. In March, a coalition of over 50 national and local organizations wrote to Members of Congress urging them to oppose the RHNDA disapproval resolution.

"I appreciate how House Democratic leaders and my Democratic colleagues have rallied to the defense of District residents, who are struggling against a Republican majority intent on overturning a local law and giving any and all employers in the District the go ahead to hire and fire because of an employee's personal reproductive choices," Norton said. "Democrats have joined our residents, who are incensed by Republican attempts to railroad the District without even the courtesy of a hearing that would allow local officials to defend themselves and their legislation. Beginning a war on the District and a war on women at the same time will unite not only Democrats around the country, but Americans everywhere who still expect a modicum of fairness from this House."