A chaotic scene unfolded on the floor of the U.S. House today as a measure to ensure federal contractors can’t discriminate against LGBT people was defeated by a single vote.
It initially appeared that the measure — an amendment to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would’ve nullified a Republican “religious liberty” provision allowing federal contractors to discriminate against LGBT employees — had enough votes to pass. But Republican leaders kept the vote open and persuaded a handful of members to change their votes, which ultimately resulted in the LGBT protection being defeated by a single vote.
As you can see in the clip below, Democrats could be heard booing and chanting “Shame! Shame! Shame!” as seven Republicans changed their votes.
Following the fiasco, the author of the amendment, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), released a statement saying Republicans “literally snatched discrimination from the jaws of equality.”
“In the past day, House Republicans have gone out of their way to rig votes and block bills that prevent discrimination against LGBT people,” he added. “When they break their our own rules to make sure taxpayer dollars can go to folks who discriminate, they showed who they truly are – bigots and cowards.”
Every single Republican who voted against my amendment should be ashamed of themselves. Your children will remember your hate.
— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) May 19, 2016
.@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
7 GOPers flipped their votes to save an anti-LGBT provision: Denham, Walden, Walters, Young, Issa, Poliquin, Valadeo https://t.co/54jdTffbaX
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) May 19, 2016
My cousin weighs in:
I firmly believe that no member of the #LGBT community should face discrimination in the workplace. There is no place for that in America.
— Brad Ashford (@RepBradAshford) May 19, 2016