Civil and Human Rights Coalition Identifies Six Priorities for Lame Duck Congress

Human Rights News 11.10,10

Congress returns to work next Monday for the lame-duck session, the last work period of the 111th Congress before the new Congress is sworn in next year. 


The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has identified the following six goals as the civil and human rights community’s highest priorities for the lame duck session:

  • Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would help women workers who suffer from wage discrimination.
  • Extend unemployment insurance, which is set expire at the end
    of this month, and provide a lifeline for millions of workers in the
    stalled economy.
  • Pass the DREAM Act, a bill that would allow immigrant youths
    the opportunity to serve in our military, attend college, and earn
    citizenship.
  • Repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which would strengthen our
    military and advance LGBT equality by allowing gay and lesbian
    servicemembers to serve openly.
  • Confirm all pending judicial nominees who have faced a level of obstructionism that is unprecedented in American history.
  • Ratify the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination
    Against Women (CEDAW), a landmark international agreement that affirms
    principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the
    world.

“Now that the midterm elections are over, Americans expect Congress
to work together on the important needs of our country.” said Wade Henderson,
president and CEO of The Leadership Conference. “Each of these
priorities will make our nation stronger and more just, and they deserve
to be high on the list of ‘must-do’ legislation before the current
Congress adjourns.”

  • Visit The Leadership Conference Action Center to see what you can do.