McClellan Helps Introduce Legislation to Codify Anti-Discrimination in the Armed Forces

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and nine House Democrat colleagues to introduce the Equal and Uniform Treatment in the Military (EQUITY) Act, legislation to prohibit discrimination in the armed forces.

The EQUITY Act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to expressly prohibit discrimination within the Department of Defense against an individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

“America’s servicemembers make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our democracy and protect our nation’s interests both at home and abroad,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. “As lawmakers, we owe it to them to ensure all who are willing and able to serve can do so without fear of discrimination. I am proud to join Congresswoman Strickland as an original cosponsor on the EQUITY Act to more fully protect members of our military from discrimination. Particularly as we have seen extreme MAGA Republicans attempt to undermine DEI initiatives in our armed forces, this legislation is crucial and urgently needed. It is past time we codify these protections into the law.”

The bill was introduced on the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9981, issued by President Harry S. Truman, to desegregate the military and allow Black military members to serve side-by-side with white members.

“Despite the fact that the first casualty of the American Revolution was a Black man, Crispus Attucks, our nation’s military was segregated for 173 years,” continued Congresswoman McClellan. “My uncles served in the military during World War II, and were only allowed to cook – not fight – because at that time, the military saw Black servicemembers as solely capable of manual labor. After their service, they brought home stories to their children of the discrimination they faced and the threats they felt from fellow servicemembers. If we want to recruit and retain a diverse population reflective of our nation’s diversity to the armed forces, we must take the proper steps to ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and tolerant environment for every American, regardless of the color of their skin, their religion, or who they love.” 

During the recent House Floor debate of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024, Congresswoman McClellan railed against extreme Republicans’ efforts to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, eliminate DEI officers and personnel, and sanitize our nation’s history.

Read the full bill text here.

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