‘Consistent With the Pattern of Behavior We’ve Seen From Republicans in Congress’
The White House is slamming congressional Republicans for an anti-LGBT amendment attached to the $600 billion annual national defense spending bill. Press Secretary Josh Earnest calls the pro-discrimination “religious freedom” Russell Amendment “ridiculous,” and suggested should it be included in the final NDAA that reaches the president’s desk it could trigger a veto.Â
NCRM on Wednesday reported the White House earlier in the week had told members of groups opposed to the anti-LGBT amendment that President Obama definitely would veto the spending bill if the Russell Amendment were included.
“The prospect that Republicans would hold hostage funding for our national security unless the president makes it easier for companies to discriminate against gay people is ridiculous, but unfortunately consistent with the pattern of behavior we’ve seen from Republicans in Congress over the past several years,†White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told Washington Blade Chief Political & White House reporter Chris Johnson.
Earnest cautioned he was “not prepared to single out specific provisions” that would trigger a definite veto.
The Russell Amendment would gut President Barack Obama’s executive orders that ban government contractors from discriminating against LGBT people. It would specifically allow discrimination by faith-based entities in the name of “religious freedom.”
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Image: Screenshot via The White House/YouTube
Hat tip: Towleroad