Republican Obstructionists Delay Passage of the CROWN Act

Co-leads will seek to pass the bill under rule in the coming weeks

Washington, DC (February 28, 2022) – Today, Republican obstructionists prevented the passage of the Crown Act under the House rules intended for non-controversial bills. The Crown act would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), sponsor of the CROWN Act, along with co-leads Reps. Gwen Moore (WI-04), Barbara Lee (CA-17), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Ilhan Omar (MN-5) released the following statement:

“Even though the exact same bill passed on a voice vote without objection in 2020, House Republicans have chosen to give into the climate of division and obstruction, and block the CROWN Act, a bill meant to end race-based hair discrimination, on the final day of Black History Month. Despite this temporary setback – and while I regret that Republicans chose to miss an opportunity to show unity against race-based discrimination – we will bring the CROWN Act back and pass it with a simple majority. We won’t allow Republican antics to stand in the way of Black people having the right to live as their authentic selves”

H.R.2116, The CROWN Act failed despite a bipartisan vote of 235-188, falling short of the 2/3 Majority needed to pass under the expedited rules. The co-leads will seek to pass the bill under rule in the coming weeks.