House passes modified LGBT anti-discrimination amendment

The House votes to approve LGBT anti-discrimination measure — (Image credit: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

On Wednesday night, the House approved a measure banning the federal government from paying contractors that discriminate due to sexual orientation or gender identity. The amendment to energy and water spending legislation, proposed by Rep. Sean Maloney (D-N.Y.), passed, 223-195, with modified language from Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) dictating that the White House "must not run afoul of the 1st amendment, the 14th amendment, and Article One of the Constitution" in anti-discrimination actions. The House also passed, 233-186, a measure from Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) that shields religious groups from President Obama's directives on transgender bathrooms in schools and anti-LGBT federal contractors. Last week, the House nearly passed Maloney's measure, but fell one vote short after unusual parliamentary maneuvering by Republicans.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.