Political Quotes

“I am a former Member of the House of Representatives, and I worked very closely with faith groups and civil rights advocates over the months leading up to consideration of ENDA in 2007 to arrive at the religious exemption compromise in the bill we are considering today. In fact, this current language in the bill before us passed the House of Representatives on a broad bipartisan basis of 402 to 25 as a floor amendment during our consideration of ENDA in 2007. It is a bipartisan compromise supported by many religious organizations, including the Presbyterian Church, the United Methodist Church, and the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism. Over 40 religious organizations wrote to endorse this bill with a letter that reads: Any claims that ENDA harms religious liberty are misplaced. ENDA broadly exempts from its scope houses of worship as well as religiously affiliated organizations. This exemption-- which covers the same religious organizations already exempted from religious discrimination provisions of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964--should ensure that religious freedom concerns don't hinder the passage of this critical legislation. I ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment and then join together on a historic day to vote in support of the Employment Non- Discrimination Act. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania.”