ENDA Moves Out Of Committee

The trans-less version of ENDA passed its first legislative hurdle yesterday when the House Committee on Education and Labor voted 27-21 to approve the bill. Four Democrats, including presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich voted against the bill in protest of the removal of transgender protections, but with the votes of four gay-friendly Republicans, the measure passed.

Republicans voting yes: Reps. Michael Castle (R-Del.), Judy Biggert (R-Ill.), Todd Platts (R-Penn.) and Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.).

Democrats voting no: Kucinich and Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Yvette Clark (D-N.Y.), and Rush Holt (D-N.J.).

Earlier this week, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, the only openly-lesbian member of Congress, received permission from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to introduce a trans-inclusive amendment to ENDA on the House floor next week, a move initially opposed by Pelosi and Barney Frank.

(via- Washington Blade.)