Reps. Pocan, Hanna Urge President Obama to Prohibit LGBT Discrimination in Government Contracting

by | Jul 18, 2016 | 0 comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Richard Hanna (R-NY) led a bipartisan letter to President Obama urging him to direct all federal agencies to prohibit discrimination in federal government contracting and subcontracting based on the sexual orientation or gender identity of the business owner.

In the letter, the members write, “There are an estimated 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses in the United States – in Congressional districts in all 50 states – that represent an untapped well of innovation, job creation, and economic growth. However, no protections exist to prohibit discrimination against these businesses in federal procurement.”

The letter was also signed by Reps. Lois Capps (D-CA), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Garamendi (D-CA), Alan Grayson (D-FL), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Bill Keating (D-MA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Ron Kind (D-WI), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Zoe Loften (D-CA), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Patrick Murphy (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Scott Peters (D-CA), Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Niki Tsongas (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Yarmuth (D-KY), and Katherine Clark (D-MA).

The text of the letter is below and a signed copy can be found here

Dear Mr. President:

As Members of Congress who believe in the right for all to participate fully in our society and economy, we believe it is time to level the playing field in federal contracting so that all LGBT-owned businesses can compete for contracting opportunities without fear of discrimination. We respectfully urge you to direct all federal agencies to prohibit discrimination in federal government contracting and subcontracting based on the sexual orientation or gender identity of the business owner.

There are an estimated 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses in the United States – in Congressional districts in all 50 states – that represent an untapped well of innovation, job creation, and economic growth. However, no protections exist to prohibit discrimination against these businesses in federal procurement. The history of discrimination against LGBT individuals by the federal government and lack of any protections for LGBT-owned businesses perpetuate a sense among these businesses that the federal government is not open to them, and among major federal contractors that seeking out LGBT-owned suppliers is not necessary.

LGBT-owned businesses have much to contribute and gain from federal government contracting opportunities. Ensuring that no barriers exist for LGBT-owned businesses in federal contracting will also benefit the federal government and American taxpayers by creating a larger and more visible pool of diverse suppliers who can provide goods and services to the federal government. It will also provide prime federal contractors with more options to find subcontractors that provide good value.

Your Administration has already taken significant steps to ensure there is LGBT equality in federal contracting, particularly as it related to the employees of federal contractors.  Now it is time to finish the job and ensure that contractors and subcontractors themselves cannot face discrimination either.

We look forward to working with you to ensure that the federal government is clearly opening its doors for business with the LGBT community.

 

Article Tags

Ballet - Timeless - Banner
Advert 77
MGHA tournament

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ballet - Timeless - Banner
MGHA tournament
Advert 77

Latest News

Cash & Olive’s Pub

Cash & Olive’s Pub

Jen O’Branovich and Courtney Sargent of Millie’s Coffee & Eatery in Cambridge have traded in the sunny space they formerly occupied in Galleria 214 to expand into a more Sconnie-style environment outside the main drag.

Pain Is In the Brain

Pain Is In the Brain

Nyle Biondi, MS LMFT, was one of the first out trans therapists in the state of Wisconsin and has devoted the past few years to helping others heal from chronic pain and health conditions.

Be Every Day

Be Every Day

A journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and love decades in the making. Follow along and be inspired at how Martha Marvel discovered her truth.

Queer Joy Book Club

Queer Joy Book Club

A Q&A with the Social Media Administrator, Jamie Butler, about a monthly meetup at the Goodman South Madison Public Library. The Queer Joy Book Club strives to be inclusive by considering books available in the Madison library system that have an e-reader option, an audiobook option, or even a graphic novel.

Latest News

VIEW ALL LATEST NEWS

DCHS Wildlife Center
Division of the arts
Ballet - Timeless - 300x300

Events

SUBMIT AN EVENT

VIEW ALL EVENTS

Jobs

SUBMIT A JOB POSTING

VIEW ALL JOBS

Popular Tags

Pin It on Pinterest