EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - November 07, 2007)
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Ms. ESHOO. Madam Chairman, I rise today to express my strong support for The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, ENDA. I was an original cosponsor of this bill when it was first introduced in 1994 and have supported it ever since.
This legislation is a long time in coming. For years we've had workplace protections in place for race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability, but nothing to cover sexual orientation. Surprisingly, in 2007, it's still legal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation in 30 different States. ENDA will extend Federal employment discrimination protections to include sexual orientation for all workers.
This bill will not impose new costs and obligations on employers. ENDA will not require employers to give benefits to partners of gay, lesbian, or bisexual employees, although I believe they should. ENDA will not set ``quotas'' for hiring or provide special rights to a unique class of citizens. ENDA will simply end one of the last areas of legal discrimination against Americans in the workplace today.
As introduced in the 110th Congress, this bill originally included protections for transgendered Americans in their jobs. While the bill that comes to the Floor today does not include this provision, it is something I strongly support and will continue to advocate for.
I take pride in being a citizen of a country that promotes tolerance and equality ..... but we must ensure these founding principles extend to all American citizens. I believe ENDA is the next step for us to take on the journey toward full equality for all Americans.
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