Tom Harkin: “I spoke at some length on this bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the other day, but as we move to end debate…”

“I spoke at some length on this bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the other day, but as we move to end debate on the bill itself, I want to once again express the critical nature of the bill for ensuring equality in the workplace for all Americans. I was just on the floor listening to Senator Merkley's very poignant remarks, and I want everyone to know that we would not be here at this point in time with this bill before us ready for passage tomorrow were it not for the leadership and the persistence of Senator Merkley from Oregon. He has been a champion of this issue since he served in the Oregon Legislature, and when he first came here he became a champion of this bill. He truly picked up the mantle of Senator Ted Kennedy in picking this bill out from sort of the ashes of 1996, the last time-- the only time--we ever had a vote. I say through the Chair to my friend from Oregon, we thank you for your doggedness on this issue and for working across the aisle, on both sides of the aisle, to bring it first to our committee and then getting it through the committee and now on the floor. Again, I want the record to show that it was Senator Merkley who really spearheaded this effort, along with Senator Mark Kirk on the Republican side. The two of them fought very hard to get us to this point and to make sure we were actually debating it. So we are greatly indebted to the distinguished Senator from Oregon for his leadership on this issue.…”