House of Representatives Likely To Approve Amendments That Would Scale Back Executive Orders

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services has sent to the House floor for likely approval two amendments to H.R. 4909, the “must-pass” 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), that would scale back the reach of two employment-related Executive Orders issued by President Obama.

The first amendment would exempt Department of Defense (DOD) contracts from E.O. 13673, the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces, or “Blacklisting,” Executive Order.  The second amendment establishes a broad exemption for religious organizations to Executive Order 13672, which expanded non-discrimination and affirmative action obligations under Executive Order 11246 based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Although the House is expected to pass H.R. 4909 with the two amendments intact when it reaches the House floor, the fate of the two provisions is highly uncertain thereafter, as strong opposition in the U.S. Senate is likely.

Members of the Equal Employment Advisory Council (EEAC) can read more here.