Special Counsel
Scott J. Bloch is again receiving
harsh criticism, this time for his statements to the Senate Homeland Security and Government affairs subcommittee on oversight of government management, the federal workforce and the District of Columbia. During his testimony, he stated that despite the executive order mandating that gay federal employees would be protected from discrimination signed by President Clinton, despite President Bush having pledged to honor that order, and despite the House of Representatives having affirmed support of the order when it was challenged early on (voting 252 to 176), gay federal workers have no protection from workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The White House last year stated:
"Longstanding federal policy prohibits discrimination against federal employees based on sexual orientation. President Bush expects federal agencies to enforce this policy and to ensure that all federal employees are protected from unfair discrimination at work."
When asked if this statement applies to his office, he replied:
"It is binding on me," Bloch said, "but it is not something I can prosecute in my agency. . . . I am limited by the enforcement statutes that you give me."
Bloch's statements are being criticized by
Log Cabin Republicans,
Human Rights Campaign, and
Federal GLOBE, and a number of Members of
Congress, among others.