Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007

EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - November 07, 2007)

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Mr. STUPAK. Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman of the committee.

I rise in support of the Miller-Stupak amendment to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007.

This amendment makes two important clarifications. First, our amendment asserts and clarifies that any religious organization that is currently covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would be exempt from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This will continue to protect religious organizations, including corporations, schools, associations, and societies from religious discrimination claims.

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For the past 40-plus years, religious high schools, colleges and other organizations throughout the Nation have been allowed to hire individuals based on that institution's religious principles.

Today, as we adopt employment protections based on sexual orientation, these principles should be upheld.

Continuing America's long-standing separation of church and State, this amendment will ensure that the Federal Government does not unconstitutionally infringe on religious organizations' hiring practices.

Religious schools and organizations throughout my district and throughout this Nation will continue to freely practice their beliefs without being afraid of being charged with discrimination.

Several major religious organizations support the inclusion of a religious exemption in ENDA, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, and the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Miller-Stupak amendment also upholds the Defense of Marriage Act. It also clarifies that any reference to ``marriage'' within ENDA refers to the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.

In 1996, a bipartisan group of 342 Members, including myself, voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act. Marriage is between a man and woman. I support including a clear definition of marriage as a union between a man and woman in this legislation.

No American should have to face discrimination in the workplace, regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation. However, religious organizations should be able to hire individuals who agree with their religious beliefs.

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It is also important to make it explicitly clear that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and that no part of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act could be misconstrued to undercut the Defense of Marriage Act.

I urge my colleagues to join with me and the chairman in voting for this amendment. With the inclusion of this amendment, I encourage Members to vote for final passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

I ask for a ``yes'' vote on the Miller-Stupak amendment.

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