WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, a bill the Democrats call the "Equality Act," even though it undermines religious freedom, undercuts protections for female athletes and redefines federal civil rights laws. Congressman Hal Rogers voted against the legislation and urges the U.S. Senate to block passage of any bill that works to collapse the separation of church and state. 

"I have always supported equality, but we cannot trade one civil rights protection for another or vilify one of the basic foundations of this country - the freedom of religion. If this act becomes law, it will trample on deeply held religious beliefs and intrude into the operations of our churches, placing them at risk of unprecedented government overreach," said Congressman Rogers. "This radical left-wing bill revises federal civil rights laws and proposes the elimination of protections that women have worked decades to earn in this country, forcing them to compete with an unfair biological disadvantage in sports as well." 

H.R. 5 removes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act from protecting churches and religious organizations from alleged violations of this act, forcing religious affiliated schools, hospitals, non-profits and other entities to stop offering certain services to the public or act contrary to their beliefs. 

The legislation would redefine "sex" in federal civil rights laws and would dramatically change how those laws are applied. Since discrimination on the basis of sex would be redefined to include pregnancy and gender identity under this act, doctors and other healthcare providers could be forced to perform abortions and provide gender transition services regardless of their sincerely held religious beliefs.

The legislation passed the House by a vote of 224-206 and now moves on to the U.S. Senate for consideration. 

Click here to read the entire bill.