The North Carolina law was passed after the city of Charlotte passed an ordinance allowing transgender people to use restrooms of their chosen gender identity. “This is an egregious abuse of executive power.” “The president and his emissaries have stated … that funds should not be dispensed to North Carolina until North Carolina is coerced into complying with the legal beliefs of the President, and his political views,” Pittenger said. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., came in response to warnings from the Obama administration that it may take away federal money from North Carolina in response to the state law that blocks certain protections for gay people. Maloney said last week’s vote “snatched discrimination from the jaws of equality.”Įarlier, the House voted 227-192 to block several federal agencies from retaliating against North Carolina over its law requiring transgender people to use the bathroom of their original sex.
“It says you do not take taxpayer dollars and fire people just for being gay,” Maloney said. It would prohibit agencies funded by the bill to award taxpayer dollars to federal contractors that violate President Barack Obama’s executive order barring discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Maloney’s amendment made it through fairly easily. About a dozen Republicans, including several from California, dropped their opposition. This time, GOP leaders did not try to stop colleagues from voting as they wanted. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., make a second effort, adding the proposal to an Energy Department funding bill. Democrats protested loudly.Īn openly gay lawmaker, Rep. At that time, GOP leaders twisted arms to defeat the legislation, causing several supporters to switch their vote. The 223-195 vote reversed last week’s on the gay rights measure. More than 40 Republicans helped Democrats power the gay rights measure through late Wednesday, despite the opposition of GOP conservatives who dominate the House.Ĭonservatives did prevail in a separate vote designed to make sure federal dollars are not taken away from North Carolina over its bathroom law for transgender people. WASHINGTON - After party leaders let Republican lawmaker vote as they wished, the House reversed course and approved a measure aimed at upholding an executive order that bars discrimination against LGBT employees by federal contractors.