an honest cost-benefit assessment requires that we first stop trying to sell this policy as if it will have no cost for Americans

You've just always been in the forefront of that battle, and I appreciate that.

I'm proud that one of our newest members, Senator Merkley, led the effort in his own State of Oregon for full equality for all Americans.

This is not a Democratic or Republican value; this is an American value.

It is absolutely critical for this committee and Congress to address the issue of workplace fairness, and to act decisively to end employment discrimination by passing ENDA.

I would like to especially thank Chairman Harkin along with Ranking Member Enzi for convening the hearing.

The former chair of this committee, Senator Kennedy, worked his entire career to ensure opportunity for all Americans.

It's time, I believe, at long last for us to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well.

They are full and welcome members of our American family, and they deserve the same civil rights protections as all other Americans.

I urge the Senate to take action and pass a fully inclusive ENDA, opposing any motion to weaken this legislation.

Every year numerous qualified, hard-working Americans are denied job opportunities, are terminated, or experience on-the-job discrimination merely because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).

This Congress will continue to come back, come back in the future to look at these, and to make sure that we balance these out so that people's civil rights are respected in this country.

I don't believe our country has ever gone wrong when we expand civil rights. Never.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would guarantee that America's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender workforce would never again fear that they might not be hired or keep their jobs, solely because of their sexual orientation or…

I strongly support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and I commend Chairman Harkin and the HELP Committee for holding this hearing today on the need for, and importance of, this legislation.

It is my intention to move this legislation.

Once again, we are proud to testify our support behind the long-overdue Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

I believe that we're at a point now where the American people understand how important this is to--in the sense of justice, but also in the sense of what's good for our economy.