Senate to Vote on Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has announced that the U.S. Senate will vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (“ENDA”) before the Thanksgiving recess, and perhaps as early as Monday, November 4^th.

The Employment Discrimination Act (S. 815) would prohibit employers from discriminating against individuals based on the individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, just as current federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, religion, age, and disability.

ENDA is sponsored in the Senate by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). The bill would need 60 votes before it goes to a final vote. Employers should stay tuned to find out whether ENDA will become law.

To view a full copy of the Senate Bill, click here.