HUD chief Carson leaves Dem lawmaker exasperated with answer on LGBT protections

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson left Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) frustrated on Wednesday after the two went back and forth over whether Carson should replace an LGBT nondiscrimination guidance that was taken down after he took over the department.

Quigley questioned Carson about his agency’s removal of guidelines outlining nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people during a House Appropriations Committee hearing, saying removing the guidelines hurts the LGBT community.

{mosads}“So if it says you can’t have a discriminatory atmosphere, why don’t you have guidance that posts that and instructs them not to discriminate?” Quigley asked Carson. 

“The rules already say that,” Carson responded.

Quigley pressed Carson on where the guidance is that forbids that specific discrimination. Carson responded, “If you have a rule that tells you what to do, you don’t need more guidance on that.”

“We are all now more stupid than we were when we came in the room today sir, thank you,” Quigley quipped, later tweeting the exchange:

Watch my full exchange with @SecretaryCarson here ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/HeM1kylDVC

— Mike Quigley (@RepMikeQuigley) April 3, 2019