Is The GOP Discriminating Against Its Gay Candidates?

One influential House Republican is pressuring the party's campaign committee to deny funds to any candidate who is gay, Politico reports.

All this is happening while Speaker John Boehner refuses to allow the House of Representatives to vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which bans discrimination against LGBT employees. Boehner has argued in the past that protection against discrimination isn't needed.

Now Politico reports that Virginia Rep. Randy Forbes is complaining about the possibility that funds collected from House members by the National Republican Congressional Committee might then be reallocated to Republican candidates who are gay. For example, Richard Tisei in Massachusetts is giving his run for the House a second try.

Forbes told Politico that "GOP leaders can do whatever they want" but then said "There would be a different situation if they tried to force other members to give money."

NRCC Chairman Greg Walden of Oregon sent a statement to Politico assuring that, "Our decisions on the Republican nominees we support will not be based on race, gender or sexual orientation but will be based on the strength of their candidacy and their ability to defeat Democrats."

Read the complete story at Politico, including a look at Boehner's response to the controversy.