Connecticut House Delegation Statement on Shameful Actions by Republicans to Allow Discrimination against LGBT Individuals

Washington— U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-05) today released the following statement regarding actions by House Republican leaders that will allow federal contractors to discriminate against LGBT Americans without the threat of losing contracts.

“Today’s abuse of power by House Republican leaders is beyond shameful. Today, we witnessed them circumvent debate, hold open a vote far beyond its allotted time to force Members to switch sides, and cast votes without coming to the front of the House Floor. House Republicans broke Speaker Ryan’s ownrules so that discrimination against LGBT Americans could prevail. This is not how Congress should work and the American people deserve better.

“The House of Representatives is meant to represent every American, but today this body cast a vote attacking some of our citizens for nothing more than whom they love or who they are. Discrimination has no place in our nation, and generations of Americans have fought against it. We are better than the most extreme elements of the Republican Party that strong-armed its Members into denying LGBT Americans some of their most basic rights.

“We stand with LGBT Americans today and every day. The vote cast in the House of Representatives is a step backward in the fight for equality and we will strive to correct this injustice. To the LGBT community in Connecticut and across the country, we stand with you.”

###