[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CASS BALLENGER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, last night, during consideration of H.R. 
4276, the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary 
Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 1999, on roll call vote 398, the 
Hefley amendment, I was recorded as voting ``aye'' but intended to vote 
``no.''
  On May 28, President Clinton issued Executive Order (13083) intending 
to provide a uniform policy for the federal government to prohibit 
discrimination based on sexual orientation. The order amended an 
Executive Order signed in 1969 by President Richard Nixon which 
prohibited discrimination in federal employment ``because of race, 
color, religion, sex, or national origin * * *.'' The new order does 
not create any new enforcement rights for discrimination based on 
sexual orientation since such enforcement rights must be passed by the 
Congress. The Hefly amendment would have prohibited any federal funds 
from being used to implement or enforce Executive Order 13803.
  I have always strenuously opposed discrimination of any kind. I 
believe that employment opportunities should be given on the basis of 
ability and therefore feel that one's sexual orientation should play no 
part in hiring, promotion or firing decisions. Accordingly, I intended 
to vote against the Hefley amendment.

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