Elimination of gendered language in U.S. House proposed

Post Reply New Topic

The House of Representatives on Sunday is set to vote on a series of changes that would eliminate all gendered words like "mother," "father," "he," and "she" from its rules.

In addition to these specific words, the proposal outlines dozens of other shifts to gender-neutral language, as well as the establishment of an "Office of Diversity and Inclusion."

The proposal was put forth by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rules Committee Chair James McGovern

Pelosi called the proposal a series of "bold reforms" that reflect "the views and values of the full range of our historically diverse House Democratic Majority."

The push for gender-inclusive language drew ire from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who said in a Friday tweet that the effort was "stupid." The top Republican signed his tweet, "A father, son, and brother."

Socially, gender-inclusive language has been gaining traction in recent years. A 2019 Pew Research survey found that about one in five Americans know someone who uses a pronoun other than "he" or "she." Those odds increased to 32% among the younger respondents surveyed between the ages of 18 and 29.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) said Monday he did not expect to be mocked for concluding a prayer to open the new session of Congress with "amen and awoman."

Cleaver told the Kansas City Star the "lighthearted pun" was made in an effort to recognize "the record number of women who will be representing the American people in Congress during this term as well as in recognition of the first female chaplain of the House of Representatives, whose service commenced this week."

"And dare I ask, oh Lord, peace even in this chamber now and evermore," Cleaver said Sunday as he wrapped up Sunday's blessing while serving as guest House chaplain. "We ask it in the name of the monotheistic god, Brahma, and God known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awoman."

Some critics, mainly on the political right, pointed out "amen" is a Hebrew word translating to "so be it" and is not a gender-specific term.

"[I am] deeply disappointed that my prayer has been misinterpreted and misconstrued by some to fit a narrative that stokes resentment and greater division among portions of our population," Cleaver told the newspaper.

With a record number of women slated to serve in Congress this term, the House on Monday passed a rules package introduced by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that, among other measures, eliminates gender-specific language and establishes an Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Pelosi also last week appointed the first full-time female chaplain of either chamber of Congress: Rear Adm. Margaret Grun Kibben

Cleaver, who led the search for Grun Kibben, said lawmakers and other pundits who chided him for the ending to his Sunday prayer are proving the point he was trying to make about the dangers of intolerance.

“In doing so, they have proven one point of my greater message," Cleaver said.