Rep. John Katko among 8 in House GOP to vote for expansion of gay rights

David Cicilline, Chad Griffin

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., joined at right by Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, speaks before a House vote on the "Equality Act of 2019" at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, May 17, 2019. Cicilline is chief sponsor of the bill. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) APAP

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Katko voted Friday to approve what Democrats called a historic bill to expand gay rights and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Katko, R-Camillus, was among only eight Republicans to split with the GOP and vote for the Equality Act, extending civil rights protections to LGBT Americans.

The bill passed the House 236 to 173. All 228 Democrats who were present voted for the legislation, which now faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate. President Donald Trump is expected to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

The bill was a top priority for House Democrats, who said it’s a long overdue amendment to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the landmark law that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

“No one should be forced to lose his or her job, their home or to live in fear because of who they are and whom they love,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a floor speech before the vote.

Katko said in a statement that he was pleased the bill will set a uniform standard against discrimination in all states. The bill expands federal civil rights laws to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans from discrimination in employment, public education, housing and other areas.

“In New York, this bill is already law,” Katko said. “The legislation before the House today, which has strong support in the business and manufacturing community, creates a uniform and clear federal standard for addressing discrimination.”

Two other New York Republicans -- Reps. Tom Reed, R-Corning, and Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville -- joined Katko and broke ranks with the GOP on the vote.

Republican opponents said the Equality Act would threaten religious freedom by requiring people to accept an ideology about sexuality or sexual identity.

Before the vote, Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., called the House bill “horrifying” and falsely claimed it could cause Catholic schools to lose federal grants for school lunches.

Advocates for the bill said many opponents were misinformed about what the legislation requires. The law will not force priests or other clergy to perform same-sex marriages that are against their beliefs, nor will it eliminate single-sex activities or spaces.

The bill was widely supported by businesses, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Retail Federation and the Manufacturers Association of Central New York.

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