WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) spoke on the House floor in opposition of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
For video of the remarks, go here.
Below is her speech as delivered:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today in objection to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
This bill was so close to being a bipartisan bill. In fact, I was ready to vote yes on it, because as the majority of people, I do not believe in discrimination, but at the very last minute, the majority had to throw in a provision to actually allow discrimination, in a bill that’s supposed to be about non-discrimination.
The very last minute, ranking member Foxx, offered an amendment to protect and not to discriminate against religious organizations. Guess what the majority did? They voted it down.
Remember, this is supposed to be a bill about “not discriminating,” yet, we vote this down.
Although the bill sounds good, and as a woman, and I will say, I am a woman. As a mother, and I am proud to be a mother. I was also pregnant, and a worker. So, I believe in fairness, I believe in non-discrimination, and I believe in protecting the rights of those individuals.
But let’s stop playing games in Congress, let’s actually start protecting the people who need protection, and let’s get to work.
###
