Mon. November 4, 2013
Washington, D.C. -
A bill that seeks to end workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity cleared a critical hurdle in the Senate on Monday, with 61 members voting in favor of moving to a final vote. A vote on final passage could come as early as tonight.
With all 55 Senate Democrats backing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), passage hinged on Republican support.
On Monday, Nevada Senator Dean Heller announced his support, making him the critical 60th vote needed to avoid a filibuster on the Senate floor.
Heller said in a statement that he was backing the measure because "discrimination must not be tolerated under any circumstance."
The legislation looks to be dead-on-arrival in the House after Speaker John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, reiterated his opposition.
Boehner "believes this legislation will increase frivolous litigation and cost American jobs, especially small business jobs," a spokesman said Monday.
On Sunday, President Barack Obama called on Congress to approve ENDA.
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