The United States Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in a 64 to 32 vote Thursday afternoon, marking the first time the chamber has ever approved workplace protections for LGBT Americans.
The bill, which has been introduced 10 times since 1994, would prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment based on one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Today’s historic vote in the U.S. Senate to end workplace discrimination against all LGBT Americans comes just a year after the election of the very first openly gay senator,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute. “Tammy Baldwin’s impact on Capitol Hill has never been more apparent, and we are extremely proud of both her and Senator Jeff Merkley for their leadership on this important legislation.”
The bill faces an uncertain future in the House of Representatives, where Speaker John Boehner has said he opposes the measure.
