House GOP Puts Defense Appropriations Bill on Glide Path

Defense News: WASHINGTON — The House's 2017 defense appropriations bill appears headed for smooth sailing after House GOP leaders barred debate on the main threat to the bill's passage, an anti-LGBT discrimination amendment that Democrats wanted and many Republicans did not.

First the House Rules Committee on Tuesday rejected the amendment, a measure to bar federal contractors from discriminating against gay people in hiring. Then on Wednesday, Democrats failed to overcome the Republican majority and a lost vote on the rule, along strict party lines, 240-185.

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