Pelosi Statement on Senate Vote to End Debate on ENDA

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate voted 61-30 to end debate on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and bring the bill to the floor for a vote later this week:

"Today, with its bipartisan vote to move forward on ENDA, the Senate moved our country one step closer to upholding a basic promise of American history: that every citizen deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of what they look like, how they worship, where they work, or who they love.

"As the Senate places our nation on the doorstep of history, the House Republican leadership is standing in the way of progress. Even with 193 co-sponsors in the House, including five Republicans, Speaker Boehner has indicated that he will block a simple up-or-down vote on ENDA. Unfortunately, this is just more of the same from a Republican leadership that spent $2.3 million in taxpayer funds in a losing fight to defend discrimination against LGBT families in federal courts.

"As America's elected leaders, it is our responsibility to always protect and preserve the American values of fairness, progress, and equal justice under the law. To meet that task, once the Senate completes passage of ENDA this week, the House must act swiftly to ensure the blessings of equality extend to LGBT Americans and all Americans, in our workplaces, in our businesses, and in our communities nationwide."

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