Eight Republicans in the House sided against their party and with Democrats in a Friday vote on legislation banning anti-LGBT discrimination.
The eight Republicans who backed the Equality Act, which opponents cast as anti-religious freedom, were Reps. Susan Brooks (Ind.), Mario Diaz-Balart (Fla.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) Will Hurd (Texas), John Katko (N.Y.), Tom Reed (N.Y.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) and Greg Walden (Ore.).
{mosads}Hurd, Fitzpatrick and Katko all represent competitive districts, according to the Cook Political Report.
Diaz-Balart said while the Equality Act — spearheaded by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) — includes language he doesn’t agree with, he could not vote against legislation that works to further civil rights.
Katko, the chairman of the moderate Tuesday Group, praised the bill for working to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Currently, states have different standards, presenting challenges as employers work to comply with a patchwork of conflicting laws. In New York, this bill is already law,” he told The Hill in a statement.
Stefanik said she strongly supports providing the LGBTQ community with the same protections as other Americans.
“This bill, which is supported by over 200 businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, would ensure those protections remain in place, including employment, housing, credit access, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service,” she said.
The measure faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled upper chamber, where it is unlikely Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will bring the bill up for a vote.