Trump Nominates GOP Congressman Who Lost Seat Over Anti-Gay Comments to Head Agency Both Opposed
Called the Agency He’s About to Head a ‘Corporate Welfare Program’
President Donald Trump has just nominated former seven-term Republican Congressman Scott Garrett to head the Export-Import Bank. Garrett, from New Jersey, lost support of voters and Wall Street backers – and his seat – after his anti-gay comments drew national outrage.
Until last week, President Trump toed the GOP line on the Export-Import Bank, which helps businesses large and small finance purchases of U.S. goods. Trump was opposed to the agency, as was Garrett, who called it a “corporate welfare program.†Now he’ll likely be confirmed to head it, as The Huffington Post reports.
I opposed the House’s vote to reauthorize the corporate welfare program known as the Ex-Im Bank. #CronyCapitalism https://t.co/pSbg0RMrdu
— Scott Garrett (@RepGarrett) October 27, 2015
As a U.S. Congressman, Garrett, a founding father of the far right Freedom Caucus, supported the discriminatory First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), which unconstitutionally allows individuals, groups, and businesses to deny service to same-sex couples based on their deeply held religious beliefs.Â
But it was Garrett’s comments on gay people that led to him last year losing the seat he first won in 2002.Â
Garrett in 2015 told House Republicans he would no longer pay his dues to the National Republican Campaign Committee, which works to elect Republicans to Congress, because he said the organization had been actively recruiting and supporting gay candidates. Garrett opposes same-sex marriage, citing his religious beliefs, and the Republican national platform.
That did not sit well with Garrett’s fellow New Jersey Republicans or his Wall Street donors, whom he had amassed, having been chair of the powerful Capital Markets Subcommittee, which regulates financial services companies.
The Editorial Board of New Jersey’s Star-Ledger issued a strong rebuke, saying it hoped he lost he seat. He did.
President Trump falsely claimed during the campaign he would be the best president ever for LGBT people, even better than President Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. But Trump seemingly has gone out of his way to fill his administration with anti-gay Republicans, like Garrett.Â
Why?
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.
Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license
Â
Â
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.