House Republicans scraped together enough votes to reject an amendment protecting LGBT individuals from discrimination on Tuesday (June 14).
“Shame!” Democrats chanted in response, according to Politico. The bill would have barred federal contractors from getting government work if they have a record of discriminating against the LGBT community. It was voted down 212-213.
When asked whether the recent shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando should have had an affect on the amendment, Republican congressman Pete Sessions reportedly suggested Pulse wasn’t a gay club at all.
“It was a young person’s nightclub, I’m told,” Sessions said, according to National Journal’s Daniel Newhauser. “And there were some [LGBT people] there, but it was mostly Latinos.”