Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today I will cast my vote in support of S. 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This vote is consistent with my firm belief that workplace discrimination--whether based on religion, gender, race, national origin, or sexual orientation--should not be tolerated in America.

As my colleagues know, this legislation expands Federal employment discrimination protections, provided under the Civil Rights Act, to include sexual orientation. Under this bill, employers with more than 15 employees would be subject to new Federal regulations for hiring, firing, or promoting an individual on the basis of sexual orientation.

Many of my colleagues raised concerns about how the bill's language failed to provide adequate protections for religious businesses, schools, charities, and other institutions. In order to address these concerns, I worked with Senator Portman of Ohio and Senator Ayotte of New Hampshire to offer an amendment to further protect the constitutional rights and religious freedoms of religious organizations. Our amendment prevents retaliation on religious employers by Federal, State, and local governments based on the fact that these employers are exempt from the non-discrimination requirements of ENDA. I am pleased that this amendment was agreed to without opposition.

I have always believed that workplace discrimination--whether based on religion, gender, race, national origin, or sexual orientation--is inconsistent with the basic values that America holds dear. With the addition of the amendment I cosponsored with Senators PORTMAN and AYOTTE strengthening protections for religious institutions, I am pleased to support this legislation.

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