CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratAmendment · S.Amdt. 632· Senate(119-SAMDT-632)

S.Amdt. 632

Rep. Merkley
Age: 70 years
Oregon
Introduced
2/20/2025
Sponsored by
Jeff Merkley
Cosponsors
Democrat - 1Republican - 0
Changes bill
119-SCONRES-7 — An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

Mr. Merkley, along with Mr. Booker, put forward this amendment to hold our lawmakers accountable and protect the public. It aims to add a strict rule to the Senate budget process.

What It Changes and Adds

The New Rule

The amendment adds a point of order to the Senate rules. This is basically a procedural stop sign. It means the Senate is not allowed to consider any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, or conference report that allows for discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Where the Rule Applies

This protection covers several major areas of everyday life. Lawmakers cannot push legislation that allows discrimination in:

  • Public accommodations
  • Education
  • Federal funding
  • Employment
  • Housing
  • Credit
  • Jury service

How to Overcome the Rule

To bypass this rule and allow discriminatory legislation to move forward anyway, it takes a heavy lift from the officials we voted for. It requires an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate to waive or suspend the rule, or to sustain an appeal against the Chair's ruling.