A resolution 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
- S.Res. 766
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text: CR S2766-2768)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17T20:51:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This Senate resolution 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 condemns past mistreatment, commits to equal respect for all such employees, and references historical policies including the 1949 Department of Defense decree, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and various executive orders.
Key Provisions
- Section 1 (Acknowledgment):
- Acknowledges and condemns wrongful terminations and exclusions of thousands of LGBT individuals due to anti-LGBT policies.
- Issues an apology on behalf of the United States to affected military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, Federal civil service employees, and their families.
- Condemns ongoing or future discrimination efforts within the Armed Forces or Federal agencies.
- Reaffirms the need for equal respect and fairness for all military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and Federal employees, including those who are LGBT.
- Section 2 (Disclaimer): States that the resolution does not authorize or support any claims against the United States and does not serve as a settlement of claims.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This non-binding resolution introduces no amendments to statutes or regulations. It references prior policies such as Executive Order 10450 (1953), the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, and later executive orders from 2014–2017 that addressed discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also notes 2025 executive orders that rescinded certain prior protections and implemented restrictions on transgender service.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: May encourage internal reviews of past discharges and promote awareness of equal treatment policies across the Department of Defense, Department of State, and other Federal entities.
- Citizens: Provides formal recognition to affected veterans, employees, and families, potentially supporting morale and historical acknowledgment without creating new legal remedies.
- International relations: Aligns with apologies issued by some U.S. allies for similar historical discrimination, though it creates no new obligations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- LGBT military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and Federal civil service employees who faced past discrimination, along with their families.
- Federal agencies including the Department of Defense, Department of State, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Civil Service Commission (now Office of Personnel Management).
- Congress, as the body issuing the acknowledgment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The disclaimer clause limits any potential use in litigation, preserving sovereign immunity.
- The resolution addresses historical practices labeled the "Lavender Scare" and references court rulings such as Norton v. Macy (1969) and Society for Individual Rights, Inc. v. Hampton (1973).
- It highlights ongoing political debates around service policies by noting recent executive actions on gender identity and nondiscrimination protections.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (19)
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text: CR S2766-2768)
- 2026-06-11: Submitted in Senate
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)