House fails to pass bill to promote credit fairness for LGTBQ-owned businesses
Lawmakers considered the bill, authored by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), under an expedited process typically used for noncontroversial bills that requires a two-thirds supermajority for passage.
But while a majority of the House backed the bill in the 248-177 vote, the fact that only 31 Republicans joined Democrats in support meant that it failed to clinch the necessary two-thirds supermajority.
Torres, the first gay Afro-Latino elected to Congress, said it was "shameful" for Republicans to block the bill from quick passage during LGBTQ Pride Month.
"Republicans, despite being 'pro-business,' voted against my legislation to make it easier for #LGBTQ small businesses to access credit. No surprise that they rejected efforts to help business owners simply because of who they are & whom they love. Shameful during #Pride," Torres wrote on Twitter.
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