Dateline Washington — The House floor devolved into chaos and shouting this morning as a measure to ensure protections for members of the LGBT community narrowly failed to pass after Republican leaders urged their members to change their votes.
Initially, it appeared Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney’s (D-NY) amendment had passed, as 217 “yes” votes piled up over 206 “no” votes when the clock ran out. The measure needed 213 votes to pass.
It eventually failed on a 212-213 vote after a number of Republican lawmakers changed their votes from “yes” to “no” after the clock had expired.
GOP leaders held the vote open as they pressured members to change sides. Infuriating Democrats, they let lawmakers switch their votes without walking to the well at the front of the chamber.
“Shame! Shame! Shame!” Democrats chanted as they watched the vote tally go from passage of Mr. Maloney’s amendment to narrow failure.
The amendment would have effectively nullified a provision in the defense authorization that the House passed late last night. The language states that religious corporations, associations and institutions that receive federal contracts can’t be discriminated against on the basis of religion.
Democrats warn that such a provision could potentially allow discrimination against the LGBT community in the name of religious freedom. Mr. Maloney’s amendment specifically would prohibit funds to implement contracts with any company that doesn’t comply with President Obama’s executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers.
Twenty-nine Republicans voted for Mr. Maloney’s amendment to a spending bill for the Dept. 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,” Mr. Maloney, who is openly gay, said while offering his amendment.
The amendment would have effectively nullified a provision in the defense authorization that the House passed late last night. The language embedded in the defense bill states that religious corporations, associations and institutions that receive federal contracts can’t be discriminated against on the basis of religion.
Democrats warn that such a provision could potentially allow discrimination against the LGBT community in the name of religious freedom. Mr. Maloney’s amendment specifically would prohibit funds to implement contracts with any company that doesn’t comply with President Obama’s executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers.
When asked about the vote-switching, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wi) denied knowing whether his leadership team pressured Republicans.
He defended the provision in the defense bill.
“This is federalism,” he said. “The states should do this. The federal government shouldn’t stick its nose in its business,” he said.
Democrats accused Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca) of leading the Republican operation to flip votes.
This story originally appeared in thehill.com
