Congressman Smith Applauds President for Executive Order on LGBT Discrimination
June 15, 2014
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement on the announcement that President Obama will sign an executive order on LGBT discrimination:
"I applaud President Obama for taking action on an executive order that will prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a critical step forward in protecting LGBT workers in the workplace, and a change that I urged the President to make in a letter I signed to him. In many states, a person can legally be fired or denied a job simply because who they are, or are perceived to be, a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender individual. This is unfair and wrong.
"Along with the President, the Senate has also acted to protect LGBT workers by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Yet, Speaker Boehner has refused to bring ENDA to a vote on the House floor. I am a cosponsor of ENDA in the House and continue to urge its passage. No one should be denied rights because of who they love, and I will continue to fight for LGBT equality."
"I applaud President Obama for taking action on an executive order that will prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a critical step forward in protecting LGBT workers in the workplace, and a change that I urged the President to make in a letter I signed to him. In many states, a person can legally be fired or denied a job simply because who they are, or are perceived to be, a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender individual. This is unfair and wrong.
"Along with the President, the Senate has also acted to protect LGBT workers by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Yet, Speaker Boehner has refused to bring ENDA to a vote on the House floor. I am a cosponsor of ENDA in the House and continue to urge its passage. No one should be denied rights because of who they love, and I will continue to fight for LGBT equality."