Merkley, Balint look to block funding for Trump transgender orders 

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) are seeking to block funding for President Trump’s executive orders that affect the transgender community via a new bill. 

The “No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act,” which both Merkley and Balint introduced in their respective chambers on Wednesday, aims “to repeal certain executive orders targeting LGBTQI+ individuals,” according to the text of the Senate version. 

The bill also calls for federal funds to not “be used to implement...