Hoyer Statement on President Obama's Executive Order Protecting LGBT Federal Employees

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after President Obama signed an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT employees and prohibiting the federal government from employment discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression:

"Last month, President Obama announced that he would be using his executive authority to prevent federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers in both hiring and employment, and today he has fulfilled that promise. As a result, American taxpayers will no longer be hiring companies that do not reflect our values of fairness and equal opportunity. At the same time, while the federal government already prohibits bias against workers based on sexual orientation, those protections will now be extended to gender identity and gender expression as well.

"Every worker in our economy deserves the opportunity to find a job and work hard to support a family, which is why today's executive action must be followed by Congress moving forward with the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that will prevent employers from discriminating against LGBT Americans in the workplace or basing hiring decisions on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Senate has already acted, passing it with strong, bipartisan vote of 64-32 in November. This bill deserves a vote in the House without delay, and I will continue to push for its consideration."

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