Read the excerpt from an article about the Equality Act of 2021."In most states, L.G.B.T.Q. people can be discriminated against because of who they are, or who they love,” said Representative David Cicilline, an openly gay Democrat from Rhode Island and the lead sponsor. "It is past time for that to change.”

The excerpt identifies the Equality Act as a bill and names its lead sponsor. For a federal bill to become law, it must pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate, then be signed by the president. Since the question asks for the next step, the bill must be passed through the Senate; it does not need approval from its sponsor or a vote during an election.

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