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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 1 February
Speaker defends Trump ban as Pence addresses GOP concerns

Continued from front sions, although the bill nev-
er got through the Senate.
Some GOP lawmakers, in- Ryan warned lawmak-
cluding key senators, have ers to expect protests at
complained that the ad- their offices, Rep. Phil Roe,
ministration kept GOP Hill R-Tenn., said, but assured
leaders in the dark, send- them that the “rollout was
ing them scrambling for in- a little bumpy, been a
formation to help confused few potholes in the road,
constituents. Sen. Marco but the actual policy he
Rubio, R-Fla., told reporters agreed with.”
Monday that his staff had Another lawmaker, Rep.
been informed the State Dennis Ross of Florida, said
Department was barred the speaker’s message
from talking to Congress. was, “’Look this shouldn’t
Pence used a regularly be a surprise to anybody,
appearance at a weekly this is what we all cam-
closed-door Senate Re- paigned on ... We’re look-
publican lunch Tuesday to ing at eight years of a leg-
try to soothe some of those acy that we’re essentially
concerns, lawmakers said. undoing.’”
“He talked about the Ryan’s reassurances
changes they’re making to weren’t enough to qui-
address some of the prob- Vice President Mike Pence waves as he leaves Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, et frustration from some
lems and then he talked after attending the Republican caucus luncheon. members.q
about really working to (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
coordinate and communi-
cate, both himself and the their end,” Corker said. “It
White House in general,” may be that this is the way
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., they want to roll right now.
said. So I think we’ll see.”
Sen. Bob Corker of Tennes- “They know that there’s
see, chairman of the For- more than just concern
eign Relations Committee, from a few senators,” Cork-
said the White House real- er added of Pence’s visit.
izes it could burn bridges Concerns seemed fewer
to Capitol Hill by failing to on the House side, where
keep congressional Re- Ryan reminded lawmak-
publicans in the loop. ers that Trump’s executive
“I’ve got to believe they re- order was similar to legisla-
alize that,” he said. “What I tion they themselves had
don’t know yet is whether voted for in 2014 cracking
it’s a concern or not on down on refugee admis-

White House says it won’t roll

back any LGBTQ protections

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- say in potential court chal-
dent Donald Trump on lenges to gay marriage
Tuesday said he won’t roll rights. The Supreme Court
back federal workplace legalized same sex mar-
protections for gay, lesbi- riage in 2015, but efforts are
an, bisexual, transgender underway in some states to
and queer people, giving try to restrict the scope of
a rare nod of approval to the decision.
President Barack Obama’s “President Trump continues
work on the issue. to be respectful and sup-
In a statement released portive of LGBTQ rights, just
early morning, the White as he was throughout the
House said Obama’s 2014 election,” according to the
executive order prohibiting White House statement.
LGBTQ workplace discrimi- “The president is proud to
nation would remain intact have been the first ever
“at the direction” of Trump. GOP nominee to mention
The announcement came the LGBTQ community in
just hours before Trump his nomination accep-
was to announce his pick tance speech, pledging
for the Supreme Court. That then to protect the com-
nominee, if confirmed by munity from violence and
the Senate, would have a oppression.”q