WASHINGTON – Following House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (FY17 NDAA) – which included a provision to overturn basic workplace protections for LGBT Americans – Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) introduced an amendment to the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2017 (MilCon-VA) to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to Military and Veterans Affairs contractors that discriminate against employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
“In the past day, House Republicans have gone out of their way to rig votes and block bills that prevent discrimination against LGBT people. They snatched discrimination from the jaws of equality. 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,” said Rep. Maloney.
Last night, Rep. Maloney introduced a measure on the House Floor to remove language in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (NDAA) that would overturn basic workplace protections for LGBT Americans. This measure, or Motion to Recommit, comes after Republicans inserted a last minute amendment into the NDAA from Rep. Steve Russell (OK) which would overturn President Obama’s executive order protecting LGBT federal contractors from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Last night, the House passed a bill that explicitly allows blatant discrimination against LGBT people – it’s anti-gay, and anti-American, plain and simple,” said Rep. Maloney (D-NY), co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. “The amendment I offered today seeks to right that wrong and ensure that no taxpayer dollars go to federal contractors that discriminate against people based solely on who they are or who they love. As I said last night, this is about whether we stand for equal rights or we rationalize discrimination.”
