The fight over gay rights not only threatens to tar the party’s image among moderate voters but also has the potential to derail Ryan’s efforts to pass a budget and keep the government funded past October 1.
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After this second attempt, it was a conservative representative who shamed his colleagues for voting for the measure. In addition, “a bunch of members were misled as to what the amendment was”, Ryan said. “Real party unity – because we need to win this election in the fall”. Specifically, Maloney wanted to ensure the enforcement of President Obama’s 2014 executive order that prohibits such discrimination. In recent weeks, House conservatives have taken aim at those directives.
“It looks like we’re heading towards a CR or an omnibus, but I don’t see how they can bring any of the other bills to the floor”, Lowey said.
U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-S.C., characterized it as a “religious liberty” issue in explaining part of the rationale for his “no” vote.
The implosion came after Democrats managed late Wednesday to add an amendment protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people against discrimination by federal contractors.
Indiana GOP Reps. Jackie Walorski and Marlin Stutzman, who have consistently opposed the anti-discrimination measures, voted against the energy spending bill, as did Indiana Democratic Reps. Maloney’s amendment was approved 223-195.
Earlier this week, House leaders cautioned Republicans at a closed-door session that Democrats were likely to keep trying to force them into uncomfortable votes on LGBT discrimination, according to aides and members who were present.
This week, Maloney tried again.
During a floor vote on Thursday, 130 House Republicans voted against the bill, killing it 112-305.
Forty-three Republicans supported the Maloney proposal. He also said it was also a result of the more open procedures he’s instituted in the House.
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) accused House Democrats of “sabotaging” the appropriations process by opposing the bill even after the adoption of their pro-LGBT provision.
A spokeswoman for Allen told CNN, “the congressman led the prayer and pledge this morning in conference”.
But some Republicans are undeterred, with Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks saying: “If they drive the bulldozer at us, we have to push back”.
Ryan finds himself in the middle of yet another Republican civil war as the battle over LGBT rights has come to Congress, threatening to divide an already fractured GOP.
“The Johnson Executive Order does not intrude on any religious liberties of which I am aware”, Rokita said in a statement.
In the meeting, Ryan told lawmakers that it will be hard to keep his promise of sticking to regular order if these fights continue.
More than 40 Republicans helped Democrats power the gay rights measure over the opposition of GOP conservatives who dominate the chamber.
The $5 million the Army Corps contributed to the the flood control project budget this year comes from the agency’s budget for fiscal year 2016, whereas the funding bill that failed Thursday is for fiscal year 2017.
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Still, the bill had been expected to pass until Republicans opposed it en masse over the LGBT language. “The federal government shouldn’t stick its nose in this business”, Ryan said.
