White House comments on ENDA

Statement by the Press Secretary on Senate Committee Vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

The President welcomes the bipartisan approval of S. 815, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2013, by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today.  He thanks Committee Chairman Harkin, Senator Merkley, and Senator Kirk for their leadership on this important issue. 

President Obama has long supported an inclusive ENDA, which would enshrine into law strong, lasting and comprehensive protections against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.  We look forward to the full Senate’s consideration of ENDA, and continue to urge the House to move forward on this bill that upholds America’s core values of fairness and equality. 

Editors note: This is the first time in over 10 years that ENDA has been voted on in the senate.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is legislation proposed in the US Congress that would prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by civilian, nonreligious employers with at least 15 employees.