Conservative Mormon Senators Help Advance ENDA

Last updated on: November 5, 2013 at 10:30 am by Chris Henrichsen

Conservative Mormon Senators Help Advance ENDA 2013-11-05T10:30:28-08:00 Chris Henrichsen

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

During my first campaign speech in 2012, I was asked, “Do you support ENDA?”

I had no idea what that even was at the time. I would soon discover the the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would “ban employers from firing, refusing to hire or discriminating against workers or job applicants based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. “

I have always supported such laws and I support ENDA. Even as a Democratic candidate, I was always suspect to some on gay rights issues because I am Mormon.

Well, I am happy to say that both of my U.S. Senators here in my new home of Nevada, both of whom are Mormon, voted for ENDA. One is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. He is playing a key role in shepherding the bill through the United States Senate.

My other U.S. Senator is the Republican Dean Heller. He is one of seven Republicans to vote for cloture and to express intent to vote for final passage. Heller said the following in a statement:

After listening to Nevadans’ concerns about this issue from a variety of viewpoints and after numerous conversations with my colleagues, I feel that supporting this legislation is the right thing to do. Under the leadership of this Governor, as well as the legislature over the past several years, Nevada has established a solid foundation of anti-discrimination laws. This legislation raises the federal standards to match what we have come to expect in Nevada, which is that discrimination must not be tolerated under any circumstance.

One of the other Republican votes came for Utah’s Orrin Hatch. That means that 2 of the 7 Republican votes that will allow ENDA to proceed out of the Senate are Mormons from Western states. With only 61 senators voting for cloture (60 were needed), every affirmative vote was needed.

What a pleasant surprise. Now for the House…sigh.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

November 4, 2013

The Most Authentic Politician in America: Terry McAuliffe

Next Post

November 6, 2013 Obamacare, Student Loans, and the Future of the Republican Party

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Adventures in Parenting Adventures in Sunday School American History American Political Thought American Politics American Religion Blog Admin Books Campaign Chronicles Culture Current Events Faith & Social Justice News Roundup General Conference Green Party Guest Post Guns HuffPost Live Hymns of Social Justice Independence Rock Group Las Vegas Marginalia Mormon Studies Mormonism Music Personal and Family Philosophy Political Philosophy Pop culture Queer Pioneer Week Quote of the Day Rawls Rawls and Religion Religion Social Justice Social Justice Book Club Sports Theology U.S Constitution Uncategorized Unions Video Wyoming

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the last judge of Israel?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Eli Samuel Samson Gideon