Russ Feingold: “I cannot think of a lower priority for the Federal Government than to spend this time interfering with the private laws…”

“I cannot think of a lower priority for the Federal Government than to spend this time interfering with the private laws of law-abiding citizens. Before we endeavor to address problems which do not even exist, we should dedicate ourselves to solving those that do. The people of this Nation expect and deserve nothing less, and, therefore, Madam President, I will oppose this legislation. Employment Nondiscrimination Act Let me say with regard to the ENDA bill, that is a piece of legislation I will support and cosponsor. It does, in fact, deal with a real problem in this country, unlike the DOMA legislation, and I hope that we have a strong positive vote of putting the Senate in favor of ending discrimination in that area. Mr. President, I rise today to offer my strong support for the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. I want to commend my colleague from Vermont, Senator Jeffords, and my colleague from Connecticut, Senator Lieberman, as well as my colleague from Massachusetts, Senator Kennedy, for their dedication to bringing this important piece of legislation before this body and to the attention of the American people. I am a cosponsor of this legislation and believe it should be adopted for very simple, but important and fundamental reasons. Mr. President, there can be no doubt that the history of this Nation is marked by our continuing efforts to stop discrimination--be it in the work-place, in our schools, or in our places of public accommodation.”