Chaos Erupts in Congress As Republicans Block Measure That Would Protect LGBT Workers

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Chaos Erupts in Congress As Republicans Block Measure That Would Protect LGBT Workers – WATCH

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In a chaotic floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, an amendment to a defense authorization bill that would have blocked funding from anti-LGBT government contractors was rejected after a last minute rally from Republicans.

The amendment was put forth by openly gay Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. He initially had the votes to pass the measure until Republicans made a last ditch effort to block it, which they did narrowly by one vote.

Maloney’s amendment would have voided a provision in the defense authorization bill passed Wednesday by Republicans which provides broad “religious freedom” exemptions for religious and religiously affiliated organizations that receive federal contracts. Those exemptions can be used to discriminate against LGBT people.

Maloney’s amendment also would have blocked funding from going to any company that would not comply with President Obama’s executive order banning discrimination among federal contractors against LGBT workers.

The Hill reports:

GOP leaders held the vote open as they pressured members to change sides. Infuriating Democrats, they let lawmakers switch their votes without coming to the House floor.

“Shame! Shame! Shame!” Democrats chanted as they watched the vote tally go from passage of Maloney’s amendment to narrow failure.

Twenty-nine Republicans voted for Maloney’s amendment to a spending bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects, along with all Democrats in the final roll call.

“This is one of the ugliest episodes I’ve experienced in my three-plus years as a member of this House,” Maloney, who is openly gay, said while offering his amendment.

Here’s the before and after votes on striking anti-LGBT language from NDAA. They had it til some GOPers flipped. pic.twitter.com/yokSeFsyOO

— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) May 19, 2016

House Democrats took to Twitter following the defeat to express furor over Republican intransigence against LGBT rights.

.@HouseGOP should be ashamed of its cowardly actions preventing a fair vote to protect #LGBT Americans from discrimination. #SHAME

— Rep. Patrick Murphy (@RepMurphyFL) May 19, 2016

#TBT to when @RepSeanMaloney‘s amdt had the votes, until @HouseGOP abused regular order to ensure discrimination. t.co/krz86D4gQe

— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) May 19, 2016

Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan denied knowing whether his team pressured House Republicans to switch their votes. “I don’t know the answer. I don’t even know,” Ryan said. He then defended the provision that Maloney was trying to gut: “This is federalism; the states should do this. The federal government shouldn’t stick its nose in its business.”

When Maloney confronted Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) aout the vote reversals, McCarthy reportedly told Maloney, “Get back on your own side of the aisle.” To which Maloney responded, “What side of the aisle am I supposed to stand on to support equality?”

Watch video of House Democrats chanting “Shame!” at House Republicans.