One Iowa, the state’s leading LGBT organization, praises Senator Tom Harkin for leadership:
DES MOINES – The United States Senate made history today when it voted 64-32 in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, protecting LGBT people from discrimination on the job. Only 17 states–including Iowa–and the District of Columbia expressly ban discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Another four states expressly ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Our nation still largely lacks explicit protections against discrimination in the workplace for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. ENDA will next face a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
ENDA was pioneered by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Senator Charles Grassley voted against the bill, citing religion reasons.
The Senate last considered ENDA in 1996, where it failed by one vote.
The following is a statement from Donna Red Wing, Executive Director of One Iowa, the state’s leading LGBT organization:
“One Iowa commends the U.S. Senate on this historic vote which brings the Employment Non-Discrimination Act one step closer to reality. In 2013, it’s absurd to think that people can still be fired simply for being who they are. We cannot thank Senator Harkin enough for his extraordinary leadership to right this wrong.
“As ENDA heads to the House, we know it will face considerable opposition from Republican House Speaker John Boehner and others. At One Iowa, however, we believe that equality is a non-partisan issue. In fact, an effort to end discrimination for all citizens is both a conservative and progressive value, and should be embraced by both parties. We sincerely hope that the House will do the right thing and work together so we can finally pass ENDA. Not only is it a good policy, it’s good politics. And, quite frankly, it’s about time.”