PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · May 17, 2019
Equality Act
This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in a wide variety of areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. Specifically, the bill defines and includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation.
The bill expands the definition of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide (1) exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; (2) goods, services, or programs; and (3) transportation services.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The bill allows the Department of Justice to intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin shall include protections against discrimination based on (1) an association with another person who is a member of such a protected class; or (2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, that an individual is a member of such a protected class. The bill prohibits the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 from providing a claim, defense, or basis for challenging such protections.
The bill prohibits an individual from being denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual's gender identity.
People & committees
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] · D–RI
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 - 173 (Roll no. 217). (text: CR H3931-3934)
House roll call 217 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 - 173 (Roll no. 217).(text: CR H3931-3934)
House roll call 217 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 181 - 228 (Roll no. 216).
House roll call 216 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Steube motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add at the end of the bill a new section that nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act may be construed to diminish any protections under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Mr. Steube moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3950)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3950-3953)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, the Chair postponed further proceedings on H.R. 5.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 90 minutes of debate on H.R. 5.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5, H.R. 312 and H.R. 987. The resolution provides for 90 minutes of debate on H.R. 5, under a closed rule. Section 2 of the resolution provides for 60 minutes of debate on H.R. 312, under a closed rule and section 3 provides 90 minutes of debate on H.R. 987, under a structured rule.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 377. (consideration: CR H3931-3950)
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 377 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5, H.R. 312 and H.R. 987. The resolution provides for 90 minutes of debate on H.R. 5, under a closed rule. Section 2 of the resolution provides for 60 minutes of debate on H.R. 312, under a closed rule and section 3 provides 90 minutes of debate on H.R. 987, under a structured rule.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 34.
Committee on House Administration discharged.
Committee on House Administration discharged.
Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
Committee on Financial Services discharged.
Committee on Financial Services discharged.
Committee on Education and Labor discharged.
Committee on Education and Labor discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-56, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-56, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 10.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.5 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.5 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.5 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.5 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.