[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 7, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3685) to 
     prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual 
     orientation:

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of 
the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) because no American should 
ever fear being discriminated against in the workplace.
  The Employment Non-Discrimination Act makes it illegal to fire, 
refuse to hire, or discriminate in any way against employees based on 
their sexual orientation. An employee should be judged on their 
qualifications and performance in the job, and only on their 
qualifications and performance in the job.
  I am proud that as a member of the Minnesota House of 
Representatives, one of the first votes I cast was to ensure that every 
person in our State is protected from unjust discrimination regardless 
of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender. It is disappointing 
that there are still 30 States in our country where it is legal to fire 
someone because of their sexual orientation.
  While not as comprehensive as Minnesota's civil rights law, ENDA is a 
good step in protecting every citizen in our country from job 
discrimination. H.R. 3685 simply provides basic employment protections 
for gay, lesbian, and bisexual workers.
  This legislation addresses concerns that have been expressed by 
explicitly forbidding quotas or preferential treatment. It also ensures 
that both denominational and non-denominational religious schools and 
religious associations continue to have all exemptions currently 
allowed under the law. Further, H.R. 3685 does not change in any way 
the definition of marriage under Federal law.
  I joined Chairman Barney Frank to strike a provision regarding 
marriage criteria in employment, because it has no practical affect on 
civil rights laws and does not weaken the ability of this legislation 
to protect workers from being discriminated against based on sexual 
orientation.
  Along with my colleagues, I am committed to working to protect, 
strengthen, and guarantee the rights of all workers in our country. I 
am a cosponsor of H.R. 2015, the original version of ENDA, which 
included protections for gender identity. Had I had the opportunity to 
vote to include gender identity rights in this legislation, I would 
have supported it.
  Current law bars employment discrimination based on race, religion, 
sex, national origin, age, or disability. Further, the Federal 
Government already prohibits discrimination based on sexual 
orientation. It is time to extend these protections to all Americans. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 3685.

                          ____________________