Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on the Biden administration's new executive order to advance equality for LGBTQ+ individuals - including a new initiative to protect children in foster care from discrimination:
"Whether it's barriers to health care, housing, and other basic human rights or hateful attacks by MAGA governors and state legislatures, the health and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals continue to be at risk. The President's executive order takes important steps to tackle the inequality and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ families and children head on. Protecting access to affordable, quality health care - including reproductive and mental health care - is a must, especially now. I'm also glad to see the administration's new initiative to address discrimination in the foster care system, where LGBTQ+ foster youth face higher rates of abuse and LGBTQ+ couples are often denied the chance to foster and adopt. Every child has the right to a loving home. Every person has the right to decency and respect. With attacks on LGTBQ+ people on the rise, Congress has an obligation to step up to protect the lives and rights of all people."
A web version of this memorandum is here.
