REP. WARD INTRODUCES BILL TO COOL DOWN POLITICAL RHETORIC AND PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BY EMPLOYERS BASED ON POLITICAL AFFILIATION

News Release from Rep Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai) January 29, 2021

HONOLULU, HI – After months of political turbulence across the nation, Rep. Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley) has introduced House Bill 852, as a call for more civility and lowering the temperature of the rhetoric in the political square by prohibiting discrimination by employers based on political affiliation "belonging to or endorsing a political party."

A party in power, with a loyal opposition, is what makes for a vibrant and robust political environment. Attempting to punish others for what political party they belong to is the antithesis of what this nation was built on.

Presently, Federal law does not provide protection based on political affiliation. However, other states, cities, and counties do. For example, the District of Columbia "prohibits discrimination based on political affiliation by public and private employers, housing, educational institutions, public accommodations, and when applying for government services, facilities, and benefits."

Every individual should have an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of life regardless of political affiliation. This includes, "employment, places of accommodation, resort or amusement, in educational institutions, in public services, and in housing and commercial space accommodations," as stated in the bill.

"This bill should serve as a reminder we are human beings first, Americans second, and then Democrats or Republicans, third. Political status should not be used as an excuse and field day for discrimination, we're better than this regardless of our political preferences," Rep. Ward concluded. HB 852 now awaits a hearing in House Committees on LAT, JHA.

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