Dem Lawmakers Shout 'Shame!' As GOP Scrambles To Save Anti-LGBT Provision

WASHINGTON -- An unexpectedly dramatic scene unfolded on the House floor Thursday as lawmakers clashed over stripping language out of a bill that allows for discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

During debate on a military spending bill, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) offered an amendment to nullify a provision in a separate bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, that the House passed late Wednesday. The provision opens the door to government contractors citing religious liberty as grounds for firing or harassing employees who are LGBT.