An energy and water spending bill failed in the House in a sweeping 305-112 vote Thursday, because of an LGBT amendment to the bill Wednesday evening.
The amendment was designed to block the government from using federal contractors that discriminate over sexual orientation. Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney offered the amendment Wednesday evening. The $37 billion spending bill would have allocated funds to run the Department of Energy.
Conservatives applauded the GOP decision to sink the bill, saying it violates religious liberty.
“Republicans were right to oppose the bill, as it spent far too much and affirmed President Obama’s transgender agenda,” Heritage Action CEO Michael Needham said in a statement. “Americans expect their Republican leaders to govern as they campaigned — advancing opportunity and liberty while reining in government spending. Yet, so far this year the GOP leadership appears either unwilling or unable to stand up to a lame duck president on important issues facing the American people.”
Mass chaos broke out last week after a Veterans Affairs spending bill was shot down in a 212-213 vote after several Republicans changed their votes over the same LGBT amendment.
During a House GOP conference on Tuesday, a proposal was floated requiring all amendments to be submitted in writing prior to the start of debate, a GOP aide told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
“It’s being discussed,” a source close to the discussions told TheDCNF.
Current procedure allows for amendments to be written, submitted and voted on during debate. The change would not prevent amendments, but would allow the GOP to avert any surprises by letting them know what lies ahead.
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