Disapproval Resolution to Overturn D.C. Anti-Discrimination Law Will Go to House Floor for a Vote, Tonight

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that debate on passage of H.J. Res. 43, a disapproval resolution to overturn the District of Columbia Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act (RHNDA), is scheduled to begin tonight at 9:00 p.m. Debate on the rule for consideration of the disapproval resolution is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Norton will speak against the rule and the bill on the House floor.

RHNDA was passed to keep employers in the District from discriminating against employees, their spouses, and their dependents based on their private reproductive health decisions. If RHNDA is overturned, employees in D.C. could be fired for having an abortion after being raped, for using condoms, or for buying birth control for their daughters. Today's vote will be the first time since 1991 that the House has voted on a disapproval resolution to overturn a local District law.

"Today, 435 Members of Congress will vote on whether to overturn a District of Columbia law, while the Member who was elected by that jurisdiction will have no vote on the matter," Norton said. "This disapproval resolution is a new low for House Republicans, who are using the District and its residents as yet another pawn in their ongoing attack on women's reproductive rights. Voting to overturn RHNDA is an endorsement of the health discrimination it seeks to prevent. No employer should have the right to hire and fire employees based on their most private, personal health decisions. I am gratified that House Democratic leadership and Democratic Members are united against this affront on the personal liberties of employees in our city. We will not be shy in taking to the House floor to defend this District bill and the District's right to home rule."

Congress passed the Home Rule Act in 1973 to give D.C. authority over its local laws, but all D.C. bills must be transmitted to Congress for a 30-legislative-day review period before they can take effect. A bill takes effect at the expiration of the review period unless a resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during that period. RHNDA is scheduled to take effect on Saturday, May 2, 2015. Norton has prevented a disapproval resolution from being enacted into law since 1991.