Acknowledging and apologizing for the mistreatment of, and discrimination against, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served the United States in the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and the Federal civil service and committing to the pursuit of equal rights, protections, and respect for all LGBT servicemembers and Federal civil servants.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1357
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:10:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 1357
Purpose
This resolution formally acknowledges and apologizes for decades of federal government discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the uniformed services, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. It commits the House of Representatives to pursuing equal rights, protections, and respect for all such individuals serving in these roles.
Key Provisions
- Details a historical account of discriminatory policies, including a 1949 Department of Defense decree banning homosexual personnel, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy from 1993 to 2010, Executive Order 10450 from 1953, and various investigations and terminations affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals.
- Notes specific events such as Senate hearings in the 1950s, court rulings in the 1960s and 1970s that limited some discriminatory practices, and later executive orders in 1995 and 2014 that ended certain exclusions based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- References recent actions, including 2025 executive orders that rescinded prior protections and implemented a ban on transgender military service, along with ongoing separations of transgender servicemembers.
- In the resolved section, the House:
- Acknowledges and condemns the discrimination, wrongful terminations, and exclusions.
- Issues an apology on behalf of the United States to affected individuals and their families.
- Condemns ongoing efforts to discriminate against LGBT people in federal roles.
- Reaffirms the need for equal respect and fairness for all military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and federal civil service employees, including those who are LGBT.
- Includes a disclaimer clarifying that the resolution does not authorize or support any legal claims against the United States.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding House resolution and does not amend any statutes or create new legal requirements. It builds on prior actions like the 2010 repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and 2014 executive protections by adding a formal apology and commitment statement, while noting the reversal of some protections through 2025 executive orders.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: May influence internal policies and culture within the Department of Defense, Department of State, and other federal entities by encouraging equal treatment.
- On citizens: Provides symbolic recognition to affected LGBT veterans, service members, and employees, potentially affecting their sense of inclusion without creating new benefits or remedies.
- On international relations: Aligns the United States with other countries that have issued similar apologies for past LGBT discrimination in public service.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- LGBT individuals who served or sought to serve in the uniformed services, Foreign Service, and federal civil service, along with their families.
- Current and former federal employees, military personnel, and veterans.
- Federal agencies including the Department of Defense, Department of State, and Civil Service Commission (now part of the Office of Personnel Management).
- Congress, as the body issuing the acknowledgment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The resolution carries no legal force for lawsuits or compensation due to its explicit disclaimer.
- It highlights tensions between past and recent executive actions on LGBT inclusion, reflecting ongoing political debates over federal employment policies.
- Constitutionally, it addresses equal protection principles through symbolic means without altering statutes or court precedents.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-11: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Acknowledging and apologizing for the mistreatment of, and discrimination against, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served the United States in the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and the Federal civil service and committing to the pursuit of equal rights, protections, and respect for all LGBT servicemembers and Federal civil servants. — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (10 pages)