Miller: House Should Vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Statement

U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democratic member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate approved the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

"Today we saw civil rights in our country take a giant step forward. Senators from across the political spectrum worked together and passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to end workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Now that the Senate has acted, and for the sake of millions of fellow Americans living in states where they can still be fired for who they are or whom they love, it is the responsibility of the House to take up this bill as soon as possible.

"I am disappointed that some in the House Republican leadership are not eager to bring this bill to the floor. So we can expect hurdles in our way. But those hurdles are surmountable. The House can, should, and must bring this bill to the finish line and fulfill our nation's promise of equal opportunity for all."

In July, Rep. Miller and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Co.), the lead House sponsor of the legislation, asked Chairman John Kline (R-Minn.) to hold hearings on the legislation. Chairman Kline has yet to respond to the request.

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