Watch: In Chaotic Scene, Democrats Chant ‘Shame’ on House Floor After Switched Votes
By Kate Irby. The floor of the U.S. House of Representatives descended into brief chaos Thursday morning following the defeat of an amendment on religious freedom.
Republicans switched their votes from yea to nay after the clock ran out on time to vote, and it’s unclear why the votes were allowed to switch. If the amendment had been declared approved or defeated right after the clock ran out, it would’ve been approved by a vote of 217-206.
The amendment, proposed by Rep. Sean Maloney (D-NY), would have prohibited the use of federal funds to enforce a provision that was part of the Defense Authorization Act, passed by the House Wednesday night . . .
When the clock ran out, votes stood at 217-206, with 35 Republicans joining Democrats to approve the amendment. But then one by one, five Republicans switched their votes to nay.
People started booing, chanting “shame” and saying various other things such as, “Make the order,” “votes are done,” and “let’s go!” Making the order refers to proclaiming the amendment defeated or approved, based on the current votes. (Read more from “In Chaotic Scene, Democrats Chant ‘Shame’ on House Floor After Switched Votes” HERE)
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Here’s What the Failed Amendment Was All About
By Cristina Marcos and Mike Lillis. The failed amendment would have effectively nullified a provision in the defense authorization that the House passed late Wednesday night. The language embedded in the defense bill states that religious corporations, associations and institutions that receive federal contracts can’t be discriminated against on the basis of religion.
Democrats warn that such a provision could potentially allow discrimination against the LGBT community in the name of religious freedom. Maloney’s amendment specifically would prohibit funds to implement contracts with any company that doesn’t comply with President Obama’s executive orderbanning federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers. (Read more from this story HERE)
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