Thirty-five House Republicans broke with their party Wednesday to help Democrats pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) — a bill that would give homosexuals and bisexuals special rights in the workplace. Twenty-five Democrats voted against the legislation, which passed 235-184.
"By passing this Orwellian piece of legislation, the Democrat-controlled House has displayed exceptional arrogance," said Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues at Concerned Women for America. "Congress apparently believes it has carte blanche authority to nullify any constitutional provision which it finds bothersome. In this case, they've drawn a black line through the free exercise clause of the First Amendment."
ENDA would prevent employers from taking sexual orientation into consideration when hiring, promoting or firing. That could spell trouble for Christian business owners, churches and faith-based groups, which could be obligated to hire people who don't share their beliefs. ENDA also could silence religious speech in the workplace.
"The so-called 'Employment Non-Discrimination Act' creates a legal quagmire for employees who practice, or even acknowledge, their religious beliefs — depending on where they happen to work, and subject to judicial interpretation," said House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri. "In the process, it erodes a basic, fundamental right bestowed upon us by our Creator — and a right guaranteed to every American under the U.S. Constitution."
Language to include transgenderism and transsexualism was left out of the legislation, which President Bush has indicated he would veto. House Democrats do not have enough votes to override a veto. The Senate has not taken up ENDA.
Blunt added: "It's my hope now that this Congress can move forward on the real priorities affecting American families. This bill does not meet that standard."
