U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) has co-sponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
"Discrimination is unacceptable and has no place in the workplace," said Sen. Heinrich. "The LGBT community in New Mexico and across the country shouldn't fear harassment at work, or risk losing their jobs simply because of who they are or who they love. I was a proud cosponsor of EDNA in the House, and I will continue to support it in the United States Senate."
Senator Heinrich was an original co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the 112th Congress as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 would prohibit employers from firing, refusing to hire, or discriminating against those employed or seeking employment, on the basis of their perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity. Such protections are already in place prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act was introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). It currently has a total of 38 cosponsors in the Senate. In the House, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) have introduced a companion bill.