Moving forward on employment, with or without ENDA
The Bilerico Project
Filed by: Nan Hunter
February 1, 2010 11:30 AM
http://www.bilerico.com/2010/02/moving_forward_on_employment_with_or_without_enda.php (http://www.bilerico.com/2010/02/moving_forward_on_employment_with_or_without_enda.php)
One implicit message of President Obama's State of the Union address last week lies in what he did not say. He promised to move ahead with prioritizing a repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell; he did not mention ENDA. While a vote on ENDA in the House is probably still likely some time in 2010, prospects in the Senate are very tough. The harsh truth is that because the bill includes protection for gender identity - which I believe it should - it may take considerably longer to enact. If Dems lose a significant number of seats in either chamber, it will be an even bigger lift next year. On the other hand, if the 2010 elections go well for the Dems, there will be more momentum to move ENDA through both chambers in 2011. We'll know in about 10 months how that will turn out.