At the start of a regular GOP policy meeting on Thursday, Georgia Rep. Rick Allen read a Bible passage condemning homosexuality, suggesting those who voted in favor of a LGBT provision, which passed the House the night before, were violating Christian beliefs and prompted some Republicans to walk out of the meeting, reports
The Hill.
"A lot of members were clearly uncomfortable and upset," a GOP leadership aide said, according to The Hill.
The
LGBT provision has been in play as Republicans have tried to pass several spending bills. The provision, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, prevents any language in the bill from going against President Obama's order against discrimination by federal contractors over sexual orientation or gender identity.
The spending bill failed, including the LGBT language that was introduced. Representatives of each party accused the other of political gamesmanship.
"This is not about LGBT rights," GOP Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina said. "It's about shipwrecking the appropriations process."
According to The Hill, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Republicans are promoting discrimination over the provision and their "thirst to discriminate against the LGBT community is so strong that they are willing to vote down their own appropriations bill in order to prevent progress over bigotry."
The meeting came amid Speaker of the House Paul Ryan attempts to prevent more divisions within the GOP, according to
The Washington Post.
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