Horsford Signs Discharge Petition To Force Vote On Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Press Release

Today, Representative Steven Horsford (NV-4) signed a discharge petition to force consideration of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 1755), which prevents employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and provides strong federal protection for gay, lesbian, and transgender employees in the workplace.

"Employment and fair treatment in the workplace should be based on merit and hard work, not on who you love," Horsford said. "It has been more than 10 months since the Senate passed its version of ENDA with a bipartisan vote. We must act to ensure that workplaces are safe spaces and not havens for prejudice or intolerance. When I was the Nevada State Senate Majority Leader, I led the fight to enact employment protections for all Nevadans. We need Congress to pass the same protections under federal law. If Speaker Boehner will not give us a vote on this bill, then we must force one. I urge all of my colleagues to sign the petition."

If the discharge petition collects 218 signatures, H.R. 1755 would come to the floor for a vote despite the Speaker's resistance.

In November, 2013, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1755's counterpart bill, S. 815, in a bipartisan vote of 64-32, with 10 Republicans joining all Democrats to support the measure.

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