NYT Editorial on ENDA: "Lobby Senators to Get On Board"

Noting that in 29 states, "it is still legal to fire workers for being gay," the Sunday New York Times publishes an editorial encouraging support for the fully inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The Times notes that bipartisan bills have been introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Apparently the votes are in the House but not the Senate.

There is reason for cautious optimism. In 2007, the House passed a nondiscrimination law that did not cover transgender people. The current Congress is more Democratic, and even in the past two years, gay rights have made significant strides. As states and localities have passed antidiscrimination laws, it has been clear that they do not disrupt the workplace, and they have not resulted in an enormous number of lawsuits.

Supporters in the House think they have the votes. The biggest hurdle is likely to be winning the support of 60 senators, the de facto number now required for most legislation because of filibuster rules.

People who believe in workplace fairness should lobby senators to get on board. It is unacceptable that in a nation committed to equality people can still be fired in more than half the states for being gay. Congressional leaders should make passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act a top priority.

The Senate version, S. 1584, was submitted in early August by Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley. The House Education and Labor Committee will hold a full committee hearing on the transgender-inclusive H.R. 3017 on September 23. No ENDA hearing has been scheduled in the Senate yet.

"So, far, besides the original sponsor, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), there are currently 38 co-sponsors of the Senate bill with no new co-sponsors since Congress reconvened," reports Joe Sudbay at Gay AMERICAblog who posts a list of all committed senators. "We need those Senate votes. Reid isn't a cosponsor, but obviously supports the legislation. So, we need at least 20 more Senate votes."

Join the Facebook group Inclusive ENDA. If your senator isn't on this list, call and email today. And tomorrow.

Comments

[Ravenback]

I'll do whatever I can to put pressure on my senators Boxer and Feinstein. But isn't it always the Senate. They always pull legislation towards the right. Too bad they can't be done away with. They are a roadblock to most meaningful legislation.

[King Drive]

@ Ravenback:

I'm very lucky that both of my senators (Durbin and Burris) are supporting ENDA. I think both of yours are too. But you are right, the senate is always more conservative than the house and holds up legislation. We need this bill so desperately.

I'm joining that Facebook group. As always, thanks for the link Rod and heads up.