Advocates highlight effort to block D.C. law banning discrimination based on birth control, abortion decisions

By Jenna Portnoy

Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate warned House members that they will closely monitor votes on a measure to block a District law that says employers cannot discriminate against workers based on their reproductive health decisions.

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) last month filed an amendment to the House appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018, to prevent the District from using funds to carry out the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act.

The House is expected to pass the measure late Wednesday, but it must still clear the Senate and be signed by President Trump before it can take effect.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America and NARAL Pro-Choice America — as well as the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State — urged lawmakers to oppose Palmer’s amendment.

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