Cord Byrd: “I voted against S. 2056, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. I would like to take a few moments of the Senate's time…”

“I voted against S. 2056, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. I would like to take a few moments of the Senate's time to explain my opposition and concerns with respect to that legislation. At the outset, however, I would first like to acknowledge the fact that I do not condone employment discrimination based on factors immaterial to the performance of one's duties. I do not practice it in my own office, nor am I aware of any other member of the Senate that does. And, as the proponents of S. 2056 have shown, many employers throughout this nation--both large and small--have adopted nondiscrimination provisions as part of their corporate policies. I applaud that effort. But the fact that I do not approve of, or practice, employment discrimination does not mean that I believe it is wise for the Senate to pass this bill at this time. On the contrary, I think it is inadvisable, at this late stage of the 104th Congress, for us to shift our focus from the immediate tasks at hand to a matter that is clearly deserving of extended deliberation by way of committee hearings and floor debate. Mr. President, in my opinion, the legal ramifications that could necessarily extend from enactment of this Act are monumental.”