Anti-Gay Lawmakers Make Gains in 112th Congress
Overall support in Congress for LGBT rights has decreased significantly over the past two years, according to the Human Rights Campaign’s latest Congressional Scorecard.
Despite significant legislative victories, the scorecard, which grades lawmakers on their support for LGBT equality, shows anti-gay sentiments have increased on Capitol Hill since the 111th Congress.
For the 112th Congress, the average score for members of the House of Representatives stands at 40 percent compared to 50.8 percent two years ago. Senators scored an average 35 percent compared to 57.3 percent two years ago.
The noticeable drop in support for LGBT rights can largely be credited to Republican gains in the 2010 midterm elections, which secured a Republican majority in the House. Subsequently, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has used his leadership position to spend nearly $1.5 million on legal counsel to uphold the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court.
According to the largest LGBT-rights organization, 115 House members scored 100 percent, including 33 from states with marriage equality and eight from states facing marriage related ballot measure this November. Twenty-two senators score 100 percent, including seven from states with marriage equality and five from states that will vote on marriage equality this year.
While the number of senators that score 0 percent decreased from 32 to 14, the number of House members that scored 0 percent increased from 144 to 219.
Scores were based on a number of votes, including co-sponsorship of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and approval of some of President Barack Obama’s various LGBT appointees.
HRC’s research indicates about 33 percent of 535 members of Congress support marriage equality.
Despite roadblocks erected by House Republicans, HRC President Chad Griffin said advancements continue to be made on LGBT issues.
“Still, we continued pushing the envelope and made history with the first ever hearing and Senate Judiciary Committee approval of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. And for the second time, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act,” Griffin said in a statement.
HRC legislative director Allison Herwitt added that “while the American people move forward on these issues, the majority of Congress – particularly the House – continues to be out of touch.”
READ the full scorecard here:
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