The Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a pro-LGBT amendment to ensure federal contractors of housing and urban development will not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Washington Blade reports:
The amendment, introduced by Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), forbids the use of funds in contravention of Executive Order 11246, which, as President Obama amended last year, prohibits federal contractors from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
“No American should be fired or denied a job or place to live for being who they are or because of who they love,” Peters said in a statement. “My amendment would demonstrate that Congress is willing to lead on equality and fairness as we work toward full non-discrimination provisions for LGBT individuals.”
The amendment was passed by a 241-184 vote as part of the fiscal year 2016 transportation, housing and urban development appropriations bill, which is also known as H.R. 2577. Joining Democrats in passing the bill were 60 Republicans. Not a single Democrat voted “no”; all 184 votes in opposition from came from Republicans.
See the final House vote here.
