'Does It Define What A Woman Is?': Gill Reacts To Pressley's Call To Pass Equal Rights Amendment

[0:00] And with that said, I will now recognize Ms. Presley from Massachusetts for five minutes. [0:06] Thank you. [0:07] Today's hearing is irrational. [0:10] Today's hearing is irrational. [0:12] It is misguided. [0:14] And it is consistent, consistent with the Republicans' war on diversity, equity, and on inclusion. [0:20] Now, Republicans control the White House. [0:22] They rig the Supreme Court. [0:24] They have majorities in both chambers of Congress. [0:27] And they are using the full weight of that power, the full force of that. [0:31] And your taxpayer dollars, might I add, of this federal government in this moment to enact precise harm on working families. [0:39] There are no oversight hearings on high unemployment and the rising costs. [0:44] And there are no hearings on protecting voting rights or affordable health care coverage. [0:49] Instead, Republicans have decided to focus on attacking everyday people who are just trying to make ends meet. [0:56] Their agenda is anti-black. [1:00] It is anti-immigrant. [1:02] It is anti-LGBTQ. [1:04] It is anti-worker. [1:06] And again, since we're talking about DEIA and the dismantling of it, it is also anti-veteran. [1:16] It is anti-rural. [1:18] It is anti-disabled. [1:19] And it most certainly is anti-woman. [1:24] Diversity, equity, and inclusion of initiatives were created to promote fairness. [1:28] Because there are real biases in America that disadvantage specific groups of people. [1:34] That is a fact backed by mountains of data. [1:39] While there has been progress, the work is unfinished. [1:41] Actually, the work is piling up due to Republicans emboldening greater discrimination while simultaneously dismantling civil rights protections. [1:50] For example, women face systemic gender discrimination. [1:53] I know you can't tell by looking at the Republican Party, but women make up 50% of this country. [1:58] And we deserve equal rights. [2:01] So I'm going to start with a simple question. [2:02] And Ms. Feltcher-Steven, I'm going to begin with you. [2:05] Because actually, the fact that your women's forum even exists, some might even consider that to be a DEI initiative. [2:12] But let me just ask you a question. [2:14] Do you believe America should have gender equality, meaning that women and men should have equal rights under the Constitution and our laws? [2:24] Yes or no? [2:25] I believe that women and men can and do have equal rights under the Constitution. [2:29] Yes or no? [2:31] One more time to keep it clean here. [2:32] Do you believe America should have gender equality, meaning that women and men should have equal rights under the Constitution and our laws? [2:38] Yes or no? [2:39] I believe they should have equal rights, yes. [2:41] Okay. [2:42] And Dr. Shire? [2:43] yes or no yes mr gonzalez yes or no all right well unfortunately the constitution is silent on [2:52] this topic and that is why i've introduced legislation to add the equal rights amendment [2:56] as the 28th amendment enshrining it as the law of this land now look y'all every democrat in [3:01] the house has signed on to my bill but i'm still waiting on my republican colleagues to join so [3:06] until we are able to codify gender equality in the constitution diversity equity and inclusion [3:11] policies have supported women in every aspect of their lives for example women have served in the [3:16] military for more than 200 years yet republicans and your anti-diversity campaign have denied multiple [3:22] women promotions just because they are women not to mention those that just been fired women get [3:28] paid less money for doing the same work as men but since republicans are anti-equity the eeoc equal [3:33] employment opportunity commission has weakened enforcement of pay discrimination laws maintaining [3:38] and widening our gender wage gap by the day y'all have any daughters not to mention black women making [3:47] 65 cents on the dollar to white men and finally women are underrepresented in medical trials to find cures [3:53] for diseases that affect us but because republicans are attacking inclusion they cut funding for women's [3:58] health research projects so let me sum it up anti-dei is anti-woman and those harms are compounded by [4:08] attacks on voting rights like the so-called save america act that republicans are fixated on passing [4:13] which could disenfranchise nearly 70 million women simply because their last names on their id no [4:19] longer match their birth certificates after being married which pro-family people seem to care about [4:26] not to mention the attacks on bodily autonomy as women our bodies are treated as a debate and republicans [4:31] are passing laws that restrict what we do and when we do it something men have never had to struggle with [4:37] so when it comes to republicans on this committee who are all men enacting more harm on women through [4:43] anti-dei hearings like this one we need to call it out and fight back mr chair i ask unanimous consent [4:49] to enter into the record this june 2026 article from afrotech titled civil rights organizations [4:54] and non-profits signed letter demanding transparency and response from the trump administration regarding [4:58] deia ban without objection so y'all since uh donald trump is so loud and proud about these efforts to [5:04] dismantle and defund deia why do you think the trump administration is hiding all the data [5:10] on their firings okay i guess that's my time all right then thank you thank you the gentlewoman's time [5:18] has it expired thank you congresswoman um and i'd be happy to look at your equal rights amendment um [5:24] and read through it i guess my biggest question was does it define what a woman is we'll take a look [5:34] at it i just was was hoping for some analytical clarity but thank you we'll take a look at it um [5:41] and i've got some um ucs as well dei has jeopardized air safety dei policies threaten medical excellence [5:55] uncovering radical efforts to disguise dei justice department investigation determines ucla's medical [6:04] school discrimination based on race and admissions um and with that said i have you a request mr [6:14] chairman thank you i asked unanimous consent to enter into the record january 26 2025 an article [6:20] from cnn entitled trump gutting of federal dei programs will hit rural poor communities which [6:28] shows to without objection okay it's right here now recognize uh mr minifee for