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House leaders mull next step on anti-discrimination measure |
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By Jonathan E. Kaplan
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Posted: 10/31/07 07:47 PM [ET] |
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told a group of freshman Democrats last week that she was aware of discontent within the Democratic Caucus over an amendment that would extend workplace discrimination protections to transgender workers.
House Democratic leaders are debating how and when to vote on the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that seeks to extend workplace rights to gay employees. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters he would like to pass the bill before Nov. 16.
Some House Democrats are irritated because they feel that Democratic leaders reneged on a deal with Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the amendment’s sponsor.
The leaders promised to let Baldwin’s amendment reach the House floor if she did not try to include it in the overall bill when it was marked up in the House Education and Labor Committee.
“The commitment was made to Democratic committee members,” not between the leaders and herself, Baldwin said on Tuesday.
Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.) told freshman Democrats last week at Pelosi’s regularly scheduled breakfast with her new members that the amendment did not have the votes to pass and they would not be forced to vote on a controversial amendment that lacks the support to pass the lower chamber.
Despite what Miller said, Baldwin has asked the Rules Committee to approve her amendment for debate and a vote on the House floor. |
