WASHINGTON DC—Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement in reaction to a surprise vote by House Republicans to defeat a routine energy and water spending measure because the bill included an amendment protecting LGBT Americans from discrimination by federal contractors:
“Today’s vote in the House by the majority to kill their own spending bill in order to preserve discrimination against our LGBT friends, family, and neighbors is shameful. The House’s embarrassing commitment to discrimination demands a response. The time has come for the Senate to stand up for equality and justice and take action on the Equality Act. Discrimination has no place in the United States of America.”
Spanish 
English