Civil Rights

While we as a nation have made significant progress in pursuit of civil rights for all persons, we still have a long road ahead of us until our Constitution’s promise of equality under the law is realized for all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. 

I am the proud mother of a gay daughter, and I have fought to ensure equality for her, for our fellow LGBTQ+ Americans, and for every Pennsylvanian. Everyone deserves to have the same freedoms and enjoy the same rights as their neighbors – full stop. 

In Congress, I helped pass the Equality Act to ensure all LGBTQ+ Americans are guaranteed the full protections of federal civil rights laws. This historic legislation would extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ Americans in areas like employment, education, access to credit, jury service, federal funding, housing, and public accommodation. No Pennsylvanian should lose their job or housing because of whom they love. I also voted for the Respect for Marriage Act to enshrine marriage equality in federal law and provide state-level protections. If the Supreme Court decides not to recognize this important right, Congress must. 

We also must do more to address the racism that threatens and has taken too many Black lives, and manifests in inequities in health care, environmental racism, unjust policing, or other systemic issues. That's why I cosponsored and voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to confront systemic racism and build a more equitable justice system for Black and brown Americans. This bill would address police misconduct, drive changes in the culture of law enforcement, and work to build trust between law enforcement and our communities. Making these critical changes, however, does not mean defunding the police. 

Here in Chester and Berks Counties, we know our law enforcement officers and first responders are here to serve our community, and we can all agree that bad actors should be held accountable just as they are in our schools, businesses, and courtrooms. 

Additionally, as a former teacher and entrepreneur, I know how valuable access to equitable educational opportunities are for our young people and their families. I’m proud to represent the congressional district that is home to the first degree granting HBCU in the country, Lincoln University, and I’m proud of the work I have done with the Small Business Committee to create equitable opportunities for minority business owners.  

Know that I am committed to actively pursuing policies that will address and remedy systemic inequality across our Commonwealth and country.