New rules passed by the House of Representatives includes protections for LGBTQ Congressional staffers.

On their first day in power, Congressional Democrats passed a rules package that addressed issues that concern the House of Representatives itself.

The rules bar representatives and employees of the House from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The LGBT Congressional Staff Association (LGBT CSA) praised the measure.

“This move also sends a powerful message about the importance of diversity within the institution we serve, saying that LGBTQ individuals are welcome on Capitol Hill and that the House of Representatives values and respects the identity and dignity of all LGBTQ people,” the LGBT CSA said in a statement.

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The rules were approved in a 234 to 197 vote, with Democrats mostly in favor and Republicans mostly opposed.

Two Democrats – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and Ro Khanna (CA) – voted against the package because it included a controversial pay-as-you-go (“PAYGO”) provision, which requires new spending or tax cuts to be offset with spending cuts or tax increases.

Tulsi Gabbard (HI) also voted against the package, while Tom Reed (R-NY), John Katko (R-NY), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) voted in favor.