FRACTURE

House Energy Spending Bill Derailed by LGBT Fight

Conservatives vote down spending bill over Dems’ anti-discrimination amendment.

U.S. House conservatives reportedly blocked passage of an energy and water spending bill Thursday after Democrats added an amendment that would prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT individuals. According to Politico, the fight not only derailed a "relatively uncontroversial" appropriations measure, but underscored the growing fissure within the Republican Party. Earlier in the day, conservative Georgia Rep. Rick Allen began the party's weekly conference with a prayer about the LGBT issue, and suggested fellow members would violate religious principles if they supported the pro-LGBT amendment. Several moderate Republicans reportedly walked out of the meeting in protest of his remarks.