Democrats Draw Line Over LGBT Provision in Defense Authorization Bill
Senate Democrats strongly oppose amendment they say would allow for discrimination
Posted Oct 25, 2016 10:28 AM
Bridget Bowman
@Bridget Bowman
Supporters of gay marriage demonstrate outside the Supreme Court in April 2015. Senate Democrats say an amendment to the defense authorization bill could upend President Barack Obama’s executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT people. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Senate Democrats and the White House are drawing a line in negotiations over the defense authorization bill, signaling strong opposition to a provision they say would allow for discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The issue has emerged as one of the hurdles in the negotiations over the National Defense Authorization Act. An amendment added to the House version of the bill would expand protections and exemptions to “any religious corporation, religious association, religious educational institution, or religious society” that receives a federal contract.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/policy/democrats-draw-line-lgbt-provision-defense-authorization-bill
