U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Bipartisan Passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act through Senate HELP Committee

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement on her vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), S. 815, which passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee today with bipartisan support.
 
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 would prohibit employers from firing, refusing to hire, or discriminating against those employed or seeking employment, on the basis of their perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity.  Such protections are already in place prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability.
 
"I am proud to join a bipartisan effort that today advanced our founding belief that all Americans are created equal under the law. Together, we believe that everyone deserves a fair shot at the American Dream and that our LGBT family members, friends, and neighbors deserve to be treated like everyone else in the United States,” Baldwin said. “This legislation is a reflection of our commitment to ending discrimination against our fellow citizens simply because of who they love. Every American deserves the freedom to work free of discrimination. I am hopeful and optimistic that we can now move this legislation forward to build a tomorrow that is more equal, not less, for all Americans.”
 
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013, which Baldwin cosponsored, passed the HELP Committee 15-7 with support from Democratic Senators and Republican Senators Mark Kirk, Lisa Murkowski and Orin Hatch. The legislation has earned bipartisan support from a majority of U.S. Senators.