Bob Kerrey: “it seems to me, for Members who are trying to decide on this piece of legislation, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act…”

“it seems to me, for Members who are trying to decide on this piece of legislation, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, there are really three questions that need to be asked and answered. The first is: Should the Federal Government intervene and preempt State laws? That really leads to the question: Do you support the underlying bill, the Defense of Marriage Act? I do not support the underlying bill, the Defense of Marriage Act, for a number of reasons including the fact it is the first time the Federal Government will be intervening, preempting State laws on family matters. Divorce, child support, all sorts of other things will now be opened up and legitimate objects of concern for new Federal legislation. But for those who have answered that first question yes, then this amendment is, it seems to me, an appropriate remedy to 41 States that currently continue to permit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.”