OR-Sen: Jeff Merkley (D) Reaches Out To GOP Senators About Supporting ENDA

DailyKos:

Senator Jeff Merkley (D. OR) is determined to get the Senator to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act: http://www.salon.com/...

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., says that he’s been having talks with Republicans about potential support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act – including with Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who recently became the first Republican senator to back marriage equality. Merkley co-sponsored the bill, which would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, with Republican Sens. Mark Kirk of Illinois and Susan Collins of Maine. - Salon, 4/28/13

Here's a little background info on ENDA: http://www.lexology.com/...

The bipartisan ENDA was reintroduced in the House by Jared Polis (D-CO) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and cosponsored by 158 others. The Senate companion bill is sponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). This bill would make it unlawful for an employer with 15 or more employees: 1. to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment of the individual, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; or 2. to limit, segregate, or classify the employees or applicants for employment of the employer in any way that would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment or otherwise adversely affect the status of the individual as an employee, because of such individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill defines “gender identity” as “the gender-related identity, appearance, or mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, with or without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth.” The bill would also prohibit employment agencies and labor organizations from discriminating against individuals on these bases, and ban retaliation against individuals who exercise their rights under this bill. The provisions would not apply to religious organizations or the armed forces, or require employers to establish hiring quotas or provide preferential treatment to employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. An employer could still enforce dress or grooming standards, so long as employees who have undergone or are undergoing gender transition may follow the dress or grooming standards applicable to their intended gender. Individuals aggrieved by the type of discrimination proscribed by this bill would be entitled to remedies afforded under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, although only disparate treatment – and not disparate impact – claims would be recognized. In a press release, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen said:

I am proud to join my colleagues in the House and Senate to re-introduce the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. . . It is inherently unfair that many skilled, qualified and motivated LGBT members of our communities too often experience rejections at job interviews, are denied promotions, or other forms of harassment in the workplace, simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is unacceptable. Federal law is currently failing these LGBT individuals and consequently, a majority of states still allow employers to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill that we are proposing will end this unacceptable practice by prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. No American should have to fear harassment at work, or risk losing their livelihood because of who they are. That is why Congress needs to work to get this bill passed and set a national standard of equality for all in the workplace.

According to information provided by Sen. Merkley’s office, “more than 85 percent of Fortune 500 companies already extend workplace protections based on sexual orientation and more than one-third on the basis of gender identity.” In addition, over 90 companies have joined the Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness, a group of leading U.S. employers that support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. - Association of Corporate Counsel, 4/29/13 Here's some more info on ENDA: http://www.dailycamera.com/... The law would exempt religious institutions and companies with fewer than 15 employees. Despite that, the only notable opposition comes from anti-gay groups that claim it violates religious freedom, which is just trope. Everyone is free to practice his own belief system, but the essence of that freedom is that your boss (unless you work for, say, a church) can't force you to follow his own. The Columbia Journalism Review ran a column on Friday excoriating the mainstream media for failing to cover ENDA's introduction in Congress, despite the ongoing high interest in gay marriage and civil unions nationwide. Perhaps it failed to make a splash because while gay marriage is relatively recent in America, and is being considered by the Supreme Court, this measure has had a long, but rather uneventful 40-year trip. The National Gay Taskforce was formed in 1973 to fight governmental discrimination against gays and lesbians. The group convinced U.S. Reps. Bella Abzug and Edward I. Koch, New York Democrats, to introduce the Equality Act of 1974, which would have ended discrimination against unmarried people, women, and gays and lesbians, in housing, employment and public spaces. While discrimination still exists, official discrimination against gays and lesbians was the only thing that stuck around. That still sticks around. The Equality Act morphed into ENDA, and has been introduced in almost every Congress since 1994. - Daily Camera, 4/28/13

Merkley is optimistic that he can get GOP support for ENDA: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

“I’ve had an initial conversation with him and told him I’d be following up as we filed the bill,” Merkley said of Portman, who has still not indicated how he would vote on ENDA, which was introduced with bipartisan support, including co-sponsorship with Republican Sens. Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Susan Collins (Maine). “But I can tell you I’ve sat down with a number of Republicans who have not come out publicly yet. They’re still mulling over what they’re going to do, but I think there’s a very good chance they’re going to be supporting this bill. Whether that comes in a co-sponsorship or an affirmative vote when we are on the floor is yet to be seen. But I think that our numbers will be increasing both in sponsorship and in a floor vote than where we would have been had we had a floor vote even two years ago or four years ago.” “In 1996, we came within one vote of getting employment non-discrimination passed,” Merkley continued, referring to the last Senate vote on the issue, in which ENDA was voted down, 49-50. “That was 17 years ago and the world’s changed quite a bit since then. This bill is way overdue.This is about equality under the law. This is about fundamental fairness. How can you possibly be a full member of society if you’re discriminated against in getting a job?” Merkley acknowledged, however, that today, in a Senate in which the Republican minority uses the filibuster rule to try to stop just about every Democratic bill, 60 votes would be needed to pass ENDA. “I feel with the bipartisan sponsorship out of the gate, I think we can get the 60 votes that will probably be required,” he sad in an interview on my SiriusXM radio program. “We have a good chance of getting it done. I think if we can put out a bipartisan bill out of the Senate, we have a chance in the House to move forward. I think that many of my Republican House colleagues who’ve stood in the way of this type of fight for fairness have realized they’re wrong, on the wrong side of history, on the wrong side of connecting with our younger folks.” Merkley also continued to press President Obama to sign an executive order banning workplace discrimination against gay and transgender people among federal contractors. In February Merkley spearheaded a letter to the president, signed by 37 senators, calling on him to sign the order. - Huffington Post, 4/26/13

Please do contact your Senator, regardless of party affiliation, and urge them to support ENDA: http://www.senate.gov/... In other Merkley related news, I'm happy to see him co-sponsor this: http://www.albanytribune.com/...

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced this past week the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to clearly label genetically engineered (GE) foods so that consumers can make informed choices about what they eat. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Jon Tester (D-MT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) are cosponsors of the Senate bill. Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), James Moran (D-VA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Don Young (R-AK), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), George Miller (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Ann Kuster (D-NH) are cosponsors of the House bill.

“When American families purchase food, they deserve to know if that food was genetically engineered in a laboratory,” Representative DeFazio said. “This legislation is supported by consumer’s rights advocates, family farms, environmental organizations, and businesses, and it allows consumers to make an informed choice.” The bipartisan legislation would require clear labels for genetically engineered whole foods and processed foods, including fish and seafood. The measure would direct the FDA to write new labeling standards that are consistent with U.S. labeling standards and international standards. - Albany Tribune, 4/28/13

By the way, Merkley has issued a challenge to all his supporters:

Friends – It was an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in our improbable victory in 2008. Since then we have worked together to rebuild the middle class, combat global climate change, fix the filibuster, and rein in Wall Street's abuses. Karl Rove and his SuperPACs will stop at nothing to beat us in 2014. That’s why I’m announcing our new Merkley Grassroots Challenge. Will you stand with me once again? Please help us finish April strong by becoming one of the first 200 people to take the Merkley Grassroots Challenge. Chip in $10 and become a monthly donor right now: https://secure.actblue.com/... Our work’s only just beginning. My next election’s coming up fast, and Rove, the Koch Brothers, and their allies are recruiting an opponent and planning their attack right now. Your action today will help us demonstrate the power of our community. Please help me keep fighting for the progressive values we share:     YES, Jeff! I’ll accept your challenge and commit to a $10 monthly donation to     your campaign:     https://secure.actblue.com/...     I can’t become a monthly donor right now, but I’ll donate $25 today:     https://secure.actblue.com/... Your support in this fight is simply tremendous. I appreciate all that you have done, and I look forward to all that we can accomplish. Senator Jeff Merkley p.s. If 200 of our friends take Merkley Grassroots Challenge, we'll rocket past our April fundraising goal. Please chip in $10 and become a monthly donor to my campaign to help us take on Karl Rove and the SuperPACs! https://secure.actblue.com/...

If you'd like to donate to Merkley's campaign, you can do so here: https://secure.actblue.com/...

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