Statement on Republicans’ Vote to Defeat Energy & Water Bill Bearing Pro-LGBT Amendment

May 26, 2016
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after Republicans voted to defeat the Energy and Water Bill bearing an amendment to uphold President Obama's historic executive order banning anti-LGBT discrimination by federal contractors:

"House Republicans' thirst to discriminate against the LGBT community is so strong that they are willing to vote down their own appropriations bill in order to prevent progress over bigotry.  In turning against a far-reaching funding bill simply because it affirms protections for LGBT Americans, Republicans have once again lain bare the depths of their bigotry.

"Democrats were proud to support Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney's amendment in support of the President's historic executive order, and we will continue to call out Republicans' relentless attacks on LGBT Americans in the House and everywhere else.

"Instead of bringing down bills for being insufficiently discriminatory to LGBT Americans, Republicans should cancel the recess and join Democrats to seriously address the public health crises endangering Americans across the country."