Washington, DC - Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) issued the following statement after the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) passed the Senate's first procedural hurdle tonight. The legislation would provide federal protections against discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Although New Jersey state law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, 33 states do not have these legal protections.
"A majority of New Jerseyans and Americans agree that no worker should feel that their sexual orientation makes them somehow less equal under the law," said Sen. Menendez. "And while New Jersey's state law protects all of our workers from discrimination - including LGBT employees -- it's hard to believe that 33 states simply don't provide this basic protection. With tonight's bipartisan Senate support of ENDA, we take yet another step towards a more tolerant society; one where non-discrimination policies guarantee that everyone has a fair opportunity to earn a living for their families, and the rights of all workers are protected- regardless of who they are or where they live. I'm hopeful that the bill will ultimately win broad bipartisan passage in the Senate and send a strong message to the House of Representatives that they need to do the right thing and swiftly approve this much needed bipartisan legislation."
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