SHARE

North Salem Rep. Maloney Grabs National Spotlight Fighting Anti-Gay Bill

U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat from Cold Spring, attracted national attention on Thursday when he tried to strip discriminatory wording out of a defense spending bill.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat from Cold Spring, was in the national spotlight on Thursday when his amendment to strip anti-discriminatory language out of a defense spending bill was defeated when House Republicans switched their votes.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat from Cold Spring, was in the national spotlight on Thursday when his amendment to strip anti-discriminatory language out of a defense spending bill was defeated when House Republicans switched their votes.

Photo Credit: congress.gov
The vote on U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney's amendment as time ran out on Thursday. However, House Republican leaders kept the clock open long enough to defeat Maloney's anti-discrimination measure by one vote, prompting boos by some Congressmen.

The vote on U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney's amendment as time ran out on Thursday. However, House Republican leaders kept the clock open long enough to defeat Maloney's anti-discrimination measure by one vote, prompting boos by some Congressmen.

Photo Credit: Screen grab/C-Span

Maloney tried to remove a measure that allowed discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual (LGBT) employees, but the GOP scrambled to keep it in by one vote as detailed by clicking here.

The clock expired with 217 votes in favor of Maloney’s amendment. But House Republican leaders took the unusual step to hold the clock open for several minutes and persuade enough Republicans to switch their votes: Maloney's amendment was defeated by a final tally of 213 to 212 votes.

The military spending bill would allow defense contractors to discriminate against LGBT employees on grounds of religious freedom, as reported here.

Maloney's amendment would have nullified a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act -- which opened the door to government contractors to fire or harass employees who are LGBT.

The last-minute shift prompted boos from some members of Congress on the House floor.

Maloney's 18th Congressional district includes northeastern Westchester, of Orange County and Putnam counties as well as parts of southern Dutchess County, including Beacon and Poughkeepsie.

to follow Daily Voice North Salem and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE