Rob Andrews: “This is about as basic as it gets. It is a fundamental principle in this country that when you walk in and apply for a…”

“This is about as basic as it gets. It is a fundamental principle in this country that when you walk in and apply for a job, you shouldn't be judged on the color of your skin, your gender, your sexual orientation, your ethnicity, your age, or your religion. To that today we are adding the notion of your genetic background. I think most Americans would understand as a matter of simple common sense that if your grandmother had breast cancer, it should be irrelevant as to whether you get a job or not. If your grandfather was diabetic, it should be irrelevant as to whether you get health insurance or not, and under what terms. This simple, powerful, commonsense idea that is embodied in this legislation will become embodied in the law very shortly because of the good work that is being done here. Beyond the basic fairness, the basic principle that we should be judged by our abilities and not by our characteristics, is the point that we discussed earlier during the rule debate.”