Gabe Amo: “I thank Mr. Neguse for yielding. Mr. Speaker, to my Republican colleagues, I ask the question: Why choose hate? Why use…”

“I thank Mr. Neguse for yielding. Mr. Speaker, to my Republican colleagues, I ask the question: Why choose hate? Why use our budget to attack the LGBTQ community? We should be coming together to support America's commitment abroad. Instead, Republicans are pushing horrific bills that treat LGBTQ people as less than their fellow Americans. Mr. Speaker, we know that the GOP majority is bent on restricting the fundamental freedoms of the LGBTQ community, but they refuse to even debate my amendment on the House floor. Again, why are you choosing hate? Mr. Speaker, my amendment is simple. It would remove bigoted, homophobic, and partisan riders from the State and Foreign Operations bill. It would strip out provisions that are cruel and callous on our neighbors at home and to those in the LGBTQ community abroad. My amendment advances the work of the Equality Caucus and the legacy of my predecessor, Congressman David Cicilline. Our budget is a statement of values. Our budget is a statement of values, and Republicans are, once again, showing us that they value a hate-filled agenda. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule. {time} 1015”