Harry Reid may get ENDA passed in the Senate today, but John Boehner
has killed the bill by opposing it because preventing gay discrimination
in the workplace would kill jobs.
Boehner spokesman Michael Steel put out a statement
that killed any hopes that ENDA will be brought to the House floor for a
vote, “The Speaker believes this legislation will increase frivolous
litigation and cost American jobs, especially small business jobs.”
With a single sentence statement Speaker Boehner has managed to
express his support for workplace discrimination, remind American that
many elected repugicans are opposed to equal rights for gays and
lesbians, and he is refusing to allow a vote in the House on a bill that
would likely pass.
Apparently in the repugican mind, nothing is better for job creation
than some good old fashioned workplace discrimination. Much of the repugican cabal remains woefully out of step with the times. A 2011 poll
found that 73% supported prohibiting workplace discrimination against
gays and lesbians. The American people want ENDA passed, which seems to
be the primary reason why Speaker Boehner won’t even bring the bill to
the floor for a vote. The repugicans believe that gay and lesbian workplace
discrimination is already covered by other laws, but it isn’t.
Speaker Boehner is actually arguing that workplace discrimination
grows the economy, but Boehner’s opposition isn’t about the economy at
all. The Speaker is killing this bill because he doesn’t want enrage the
anti-gay activists and bigots in his own party.
It is laughable that John Boehner would try to disguise his ugly
position with talk of jobs and the economy. Economic growth and
development are harmed when discrimination is allowed to prevent
qualified people from being hired. Boehner’s statement on ENDA was
cowardly, deplorable, and should be condemned by Democrats.
Killing ENDA is not the American way.
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