Afternoon Roundup: House GOP Derails Bill Because it Protects LGBT Americans from Discrimination
Today, House Republicans failed to pass their Energy and Water appropriations bill because an amendment protecting LGBT Americans from discrimination was included in the bill. Rep. Sessions said on the Floor last Thursday that Republicans “do not discriminate.” We think it’s safe to say that’s inaccurate:
Roll Call: House Rejects Spending Bill After Gay Rights Measure Added
“The House rejected a sweeping $37.4 billion spending bill Thursday morning with conservative Republicans saying they opposed the inclusion of an amendment related to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
“The rejection came barely 12 hours after the House reversed itself and approved an amendment would uphold President Barack Obama’s 2014 executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The Hill: LGBT fight dooms spending bill on House floor
“An energy and water spending bill failed on the House floor Thursday after a Democratic amendment ensuring protections for the LGBT community was included in the legislation, in the continuation of a fight could endanger the rest of the appropriations process this session.”
“The House dramatically voted down a similar amendment last week, when GOP leaders persuaded enough Republicans to switch sides so that it failed by a single vote.”
Politico: LGBT fight sinks House spending bill
“House conservatives on Thursday blocked passage of a relatively uncontroversial energy and water spending measure after Democrats attached an amendment that would bar federal contractors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.”
“A similar LGBT amendment caused disarray on the House floor last week when Democrats tried to attach it to a Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. Republicans had to hold the vote open for longer than usual and run a last-minute whip operation to get half-dozen Republicans to switch their vote on the matter. They barely killed the amendment, and Democrats shouted 'shame, shame, shame' as opponents twisted arms.”
Washington Examiner: GOP kills energy funding bill over LGBT measure
“An amendment attached to the bill Wednesday night by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., caused many Republicans to vote against the bill. The amendment banned the bill from giving any money to federal contractors who discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“Maloney's amendment would have had the effect of enshrining into law President Obama's 2014 executive order that directed federal agencies to not work with contractors who discriminate based on sexual orientation.”