Okla. Senator wants to allow government contractors to discriminate against same-sex couples

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) has introduced an amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution that would allow businesses and organizations access to government contracts and other federal funds even if they discriminate against married, same-sex couples.

Inhofe says the amendment would “protect the constitutional right for an individual, business, or organization to peacefully and freely adhere to their religious beliefs.”

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The Human Rights Campaign notes that Inhofe’s amendment uses “misleading language” and attempts to turn the table on non-discrimination provisions by specifically requiring that “federal agencies do not discriminate against an individual, business, or organization with sincerely held religious beliefs against abortion or that marriage is the union between one man and one woman.”

The amendment would undermine an executive order signed by President Barack Obama last year that requires all federal contractors to adhere to LGBT nondiscrimination protections.