Unprecedented Extremism, Tireless Pushback of Pro-Equality Champions Reflected in HRC’s Latest Congressional Scorecard

by Cullen Peele •

More than 100 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions were tacked onto must-pass legislation during the 118th Congress; nearly all were defeated by efforts from pro-equality lawmakers

217 members received a score of 100 for their support of pro-LGBTQ+ legislation and successful defeat of a flurry of anti-equality attacks

WASHINGTON - Historic attacks on LGBTQ+ inclusion, unprecedented partisan use of must-pass legislation, and subsequent victories in defeating a majority of anti-LGBTQ+ provisions were key highlights in the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 118th Congressional Scorecard released today. The scorecard, released biannually toward the end of the legislative term, measures federal lawmakers’ support for LGBTQ+ equality.

The latest scorecard outlines a turbulent period in which House Republicans hijacked must-pass legislation, such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and critical appropriations bills, with discriminatory amendments and riders designed to advance an anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. Due to the work of HRC and its congressional partners, however, both the NDAA, passed last December, and the final version of a $1.59 trillion funding package, passed in March, cleared chamber floors with more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ riders defeated. It is imperative that pro-equality lawmakers continue to block these anti-LGBTQ+ riders on any must-pass legislation in the lame duck.

“The American people deserve leaders who rise above divide and conquer politics and keep the country moving forward,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “However, even in the face of government shutdowns, House Republican leadership served up an unprecedented onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as they attempt to turn back the progress our country has made toward full equality for LGBTQ+ people. But we showed up and fought back. Alongside HRC and the LGBTQ+ community, pro-equality champions in Washington stood firm and kept attacks on our health care and our fundamental freedoms from passing. From the confirmation of historic openly LGBTQ+ officials, judges, and ambassadors to the fight for voting rights and reproductive freedom, pro-equality lawmakers made their values clear this Congress. Leadership matters; and we are proud to stand with the Members of Congress who fought back against anti-LGBTQ+ attacks and worked to advance freedom and equality for all.”

HRC President Kelley Robinson

MAGA Republicans in the House of Representatives attempted to saddle the NDAA and the 12 appropriations bills with anti-LGBTQ+ measures, including:

  • Bans on enforcement of civil rights protections

  • Restrictions on transgender health care

  • Bans on Pride flags and drag performances

  • Elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

  • Permission to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people

Amid appropriations negotiations last year, HRC released its “Power of the Purse” report detailing how anti-LGBTQ+ members of Congress were using historically bipartisan bills to score points with the most extreme subset of the Republican base. These efforts are wildly out of touch with the views of the 80% of Americans who believe that LGBTQ+ people should be able to live lives free from discrimination.

The Senate, currently held by a pro-equality majority, saw fewer attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans and pushed for proactive policies to safeguard American freedoms. In addition to considering legislation that would expand voting rights and protections of IVF and contraception, the upper chamber also sought to secure the fundamental right to abortion and reproductive health care in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision.

The last two years also saw a rise in the number of openly LGBTQ+ officials. The appointment of Laphonza Butler gave America the first Black lesbian to serve in the U.S. Senate. Nicole Berner, confirmed by the Senate, became the first openly LGBTQ+ person to ever serve on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and only the third openly LGBTQ+ woman to serve on any federal appellate court.

Lifelong champion for equality and employment rights, Kalpana Kotagal, was confirmed as the Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) while Stephanie Sanders Sullivan, after withstanding attacks for her support of LGBTQ+ Americans, became Ambassador to the African Union.

Contact Us

To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.