Harry Reid becomes 50th co-sponsor of ENDA

“No one should face discrimination in their workplace based on sexual orientation,” Reid said

Published June 14, 2013 5:00PM (EDT)

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would protect gays and lesbians from workplace discrimination, just got its 50th co-sponsor, now that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid signed on to the legislation.

“No one should face discrimination in their workplace based on sexual orientation,” Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement, the Washington Blade reports. “It’s time to make fairness the law of the land. That is why I am co-sponsoring this legislation and I will do everything I can to ensure that it passes the Senate.”

From the Blade:

Reid has previously supported ENDA, but hadn’t before lent his name as a co-sponsor of the bill. His co-sponsorship is particularly noteworthy because as Senate Democratic leader, he normally doesn’t co-sponsor bills — even the ones he supports.

The Democratic leader’s co-sponsorship is also significant because it means ENDA has the exact same number of co-sponsors as the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal legislation in 2010 that eventually became law.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Democrats Employment Discrimination Enda Gay Rights Harry Reid Lgbt Rights Senate