Pelosi Pledges to
Fast-track Trans-Inclusive ENDA

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi agreed Friday to fast-track a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act once there are enough votes to pass it. Although a version of the bill that covers only sexual orientation will be marked up by committee and move to a floor vote next week, the Democrat from California has promised to hold a floor vote on a fully inclusive ENDA without delay as soon as the political support is there.

The decision comes after Pelosi met with representatives from the Human Rights Campaign, which has led lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill for a trans-inclusive bill.

"Speaker Pelosi's promise to put a fully-inclusive ENDA to a vote continues to underline HRC's passionate advocacy on behalf of the entire GLBT community," HRC president Joe Solmonese said in a statement. "Our strategy throughout has been to stay at the table and fight for the ultimate goal that we all share. Today, that strategy has proven to be successful. With this commitment, the inclusive ENDA bill will continue to receive legislative action as it moves through the committee hearing process during the time HRC, and other coalition organizations, continue to advocate directly with [Congress] members to support this critical inclusive workplace protection bill." Pelosi's decision is unusual in that bills that will be voted on by the full House, as the sexual orientation-only ENDA will be, are rarely given additional consideration in another form. (The Advocate)