ENDA : Centrist House Democrats "Scared" of Vote, Frank Optimistic

Several updates on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has been stalled since September in the House Education & Labor Committee ...

First: The prospect of an ENDA vote has "scared" many Democrats, reports The Hill.

The bill scares centrist Democrats, who don't want to be forced to vote on a hot-button issue popular on the left as they approach November congressional elections in which heavy Democratic losses are expected. Gay rights groups are pushing for a House vote this month, and the legislation from Frank, who is gay and hired the first openly transgendered aide on Capitol Hill, would broaden the reach of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The 2007 version, which won support from some centrists, prohibited hiring on the grounds of sexual orientation but not gender identity; it passed the House easily, 235-184, with 35 Republican votes.

Backers of the transgender provision are hoping that larger Democratic majorities in Congress and the public support from the Obama administration will lead to passage of the bill, but the sensitivity of the issue threatens to exacerbate an already challenging election year environment for Democrats. Bringing it to the floor in the next several weeks could also buck Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) pledge to save vulnerable members from tough votes following the bruising healthcare debate."

Pelosi and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin promised Democrats no "controversial" votes after health care reform. It seems there's disagreement in our community over whether ENDA and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" are "controversial" votes ...

The reluctance: As always, focuses on transgender provisions and bathrooms ...

"In an effort to build momentum for the current legislation, 202 lawmakers have signed on as co-sponsors to the version that includes transgender protection. But that list does not include dozens of members who supported the 2007 bill, many of them Democrats facing uphill re-election battles. Those Democrats were loath to discuss the transgender issue this week. Several did not respond to queries about their position, while others said they were undecided. 'I don’t have anything to say on that,' replied Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), who voted for the 2007 version but has not signed on to the current bill. 'I’m still considering all of that,' said Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), another supporter of the legislation in 2007."

Meanwhile: Roll Call reports Barney Frank says the vote will happen by the end of the month ...

"Frank said that he is optimistic about the vote count and that transgender protections will remain in the bill. 'There’s no chance of doing it without it,' he said of the transgender protections. Frank said he’s told wavering Democrats that “'the principle is the same. It’s discrimination.' He said concessions were made in the drafting of the language to address moderates’ concerns."

Money quote: "[Rep. Tammy Baldwin] had little sympathy for the complaints of moderate lawmakers who question the political wisdom of pushing gay rights bills in a difficult election year. 'Name one issue where you don’t hear that?' she said. 'They should choose another profession.'"

Comments

[Jim]

“They should choose another profession.”

Now isn’t that the truth?

Who are these people, anyway, forever frightened of doing anything that might have the taint of goodness?

[ff]

So they possibly have the votes to push through the legislation and they likely WONT have the votes after November. That makes sense.

Try doing what's RIGHT (which is why they were elected) instead of trying to ignore issues that could cause them re-election.

[Andy Niable]

It's too bad right after the HCR bill victory, the LGBT community didn't set aside the HRC/GE turf wars briefly to seize the moment to "blogswarm" Congress and push ENDA--*hard*--with a massive telephone and in-person lobbying effort.

The moderates in Congress are "scared" because we aren't doing enough to let them know we have their back and demand action.

Call em and tell em: 202-224-3121

[libhomo]

This is ridiculous. ENDA has the support of the overwhelming majority of the public.

[Dalton]

"It's too bad right after the HCR bill victory, the LGBT community didn't set aside the HRC/GE turf wars briefly to seize the moment to blogswarm ..."

Oh Andy. Drink up, buddy...
HRC is 30 years old, has tens of millions of dollars in its budget and hundreds of staff.HRC board members and executive director are regularly invited to White House meetings, Congress and have popcorn nights with POTUS and FLOTUS.

I don't even know who Get Equal are besides Robin Mcgehee and Lt Dan Choi. But at most its a handful of activists, a few iPhones to take pics and go on Facebook, a megaphone and a few people heckling the president at one dinner.

That does not constitute a "turf war."

And weren't you (and many others) saying for months that ENDA and DADT would happen and "just wait for health care"? And it was a 'sure thing'? And didnt you disagree with Rod for months, ENDA was "not" controversial, someone assured you it would happpen.

Guess what my friend? If they're not voting on something or afraid too...they think its controversial.

And do we even need to talk about DADT which you also said was "a sure thing" once HCR was done?

Please stop blaming everyone else because Obama, the White House and the congressional Democrats are punking out on their campaign promises because they are scared of conservative backlash on gay rights. If they are this 'scared' now, will it get easier closer to election day?