News

Hefley Vote Expected Today

August 4, 1998

A vote is expected on the floor of the House of Representatives TODAY on the Hefley Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State appropriations bill. This is the amendment which seeks to roll back all the non-discrimination policies in the federal government which include sexual orientation. It is a defining moment for the 105th Congress – CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TODAY AND URGE THEM TO VOTE NO ON THE HEFLEY AMENDMENT!!

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July 30, 1998

TO: GOP Members of Congress

FROM: Richard Tafel, Executive Director

VOTE NO ON THE HEFLEY AMENDMENT

I. IT IS BAD POLICY

On CNN's "Crossfire" last week, Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), a leading supporter of the Hefley Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State appropriations bill, said he believes in discriminating against gays and lesbians. Passage of the Hefley Amendment will mean that the 105th Congress agrees with Rep. Barr. That will be the message to your constituents, to your campaign supporters, to your colleagues in the House and to the staff members you employ in your own office – if you vote yes on the Hefley Amendment.

Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO) wrote recently to you that his amendment is merely to ensure that gays do not receive affirmative action as a result of federal non-discrimination policies. LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS IS FIRMLY OPPOSED TO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. We are giving our organization's highest award to Proposition 209 leader Ward Connerly at our national convention next month. THE FACTS ARE CLEAR: IT IS ALREADY ILLEGAL (42 U.S.C. 2000e) TO EXTEND ANY FORM OF TITLE VII REMEDIES ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION TO FEDERAL WORKERS. There is nothing about the President's executive order that can possibly change that.

II. IT IS WRONG POLITICALLY FOR OUR PARTY

A poll published in The Hill on July 29 showed the following:

• Americans support President Clinton's executive order banning discrimination against gays in federal hiring and employment by 66-24. The Hefley Amendment would roll back this order.
• Even the GOP base -strong Republican voters – back Clinton's order by 50-41. Very conservative "strong" Republicans would either be less likely to support or say it would make no difference in their votes by 54%.

A poll conducted by the Republican Leadership Council showed the following [Kieran Mahoney & Associates – National Survey of Swing Congressional Districts, July 17-20, 1998]:

• Question: DO YOU FAVOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSING LEGISLATION IN SUPPORT OF A SPECIFIC MORAL AGENDA?
• 58% all voters OPPOSED
• 55% of Republicans OPPOSED
• 60% of Independents OPPOSED
• Voters are more likely to support a Republican candidate for Congress focused on economic issues over "moral issues" by a 58.6% to 18.9% margin.
• Ticket-splitters agree with the GOP economic agenda 44.5% to 30.4%. Independents agree 41.4% to 34.4%.
• Ticket-splitters DISAGREE with the GOP agenda on moral issues "like gay rights" – 40.7% to 22.4%.
• Independents DISAGREE with the GOP agenda on moral issues "like gay rights" – 52.3% to 19.5%.
• Question: DO YOU FAVOR EXCLUDING HOMOSEXUALS FROM LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECAUSE THEY ARE GAY?
• 61% of Republicans OPPOSED

BAD POLICY.

BAD POLITICS.

VOTE NO ON THE HEFLEY AMENDMENT TO THE COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE APPROPRIATIONS BILL.

There is NO middle ground.