HUMAN & CIVIL RIGHTS

Almost ten years ago, Neil Abercrombie called attention to the unequal pay received by women who performed the same work as men. He introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize the significance of Equal Pay Day to demonstrate the disparity between wages paid to men and women. This fight culminated in the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, signed into law by President Obama in 2009. This law restores the rights of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay—to help close the wage gap where women earn 78 cents for every $1 a man earns in America.

There are many challenges facing the gay community, and as a member of the Congressional LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transsexual) Equality Caucus, Abercrombie worked to change the laws of the country to ensure equality for all Americans. These issues include a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell;” cosponsoring legislation to allow a U.S. citizen to sponsor their “permanent partner;” and supporting efforts to prohibit employers from discriminating against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

In 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages, was signed into law. Abercrombie voted against the bill because he believes the federal government should not regulate marriage and does not have the constitutional authority to do so; the laws governing marriage are traditionally and constitutionally under the authority of the states. Since its enactment, Abercrombie has supported a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and has opposed efforts to prevent same-sex marriages in the District of Columbia within federal appropriations bills.

Since it was enacted into law in 2001, Abercrombie has been gravely concerned about the lack of protection for civil liberties in the USA PATRIOT Act. He opposed extensions of the measure and has fought to reinstate protections for all U.S. citizens against unwarranted searches and eavesdropping.