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ProSense

(116,464 posts) Sat Feb 8, 2014, 02:19 PM Feb 2014

How Obama could strike a blow to workplace discrimination

How Obama could strike a blow to workplace discrimination

By Deborah J. Vagins and Ian Thompson

In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama promised to make 2014 a “year of action.” Obama’s words offer reason for optimism, and he touched on a number of important civil liberties and civil rights issues in his address, including the economic security of families and pay equity for women.

Obama said he would continue to work with Congress, but, if necessary, take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families. That is exactly what he needs to do right now to help stop employment discrimination in the workforce.

The country needs to do away with workplace policies that belong in episodes of “Mad Men,” as Obama said last week. In Congress, passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and Paycheck Fairness Act would transform the national landscape regarding employment discrimination against LGBT and female workers.

Obama has been a leader on pay equity issues and an outspoken supporter of ENDA and the Paycheck Fairness Act. American workers are very much looking forward to the day when these commonsense and overdue measures are finally signed into law. By acting today, however, Obama could strike a blow against workplace discrimination, as well as provide momentum for further action in Congress.

- more -

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/year-action-end-work-discrimination

6 replies

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Highlight:

How Obama could strike a blow to workplace discrimination (Original Post) ProSense Feb 2014 OP

Kick! n/t ProSense Feb 2014 #1

The problem is the Rethug dominated House. TheMightyFavog Feb 2014 #2

Likely true, but there is a ProSense Feb 2014 #3

Well, he certainly can ENFORCE the anti-discrimination laws already on the books. kelliekat44 Feb 2014 #4

I think that is why he now has a 'go it alone' strategy. Rex Feb 2014 #5

Senate passed ENDA in November; Boehner refuses to bring it to a vote. ProSense Feb 2014 #6

ProSense

(116,464 posts)

1. Kick! n/t

Reply to ProSense (Original post)

Sat Feb 8, 2014, 03:13 PM

Feb 2014

TheMightyFavog

(13,770 posts)

2. The problem is the Rethug dominated House.

Reply to ProSense (Original post)

Sat Feb 8, 2014, 03:22 PM

Feb 2014

No way they'd let these pieces of legislation through.

ProSense

(116,464 posts)

3. Likely true, but there is a

Reply to TheMightyFavog (Reply #2)

Sat Feb 8, 2014, 09:39 PM

Feb 2014

"No way they'd let these pieces of legislation through."

...a push to do what can be done via executive order.

Reid and Pelosi support ENDA executive order for federal contractors
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/05/1275249/-Reid-and-Pelosi-support-ENDA-executive-order-for-federal-contractors

kelliekat44

(7,759 posts)

4. Well, he certainly can ENFORCE the anti-discrimination laws already on the books.

Reply to ProSense (Original post)

Sat Feb 8, 2014, 11:27 PM

Feb 2014

Inside the Executive agencies ole boy networks and racists and sexists supervisors work against those they do not like passing over well qualified or even more qualified blacks and women for promotions and advancements. Nepotism is and favoritism is rampant and no one is doing anything about it. Political appointee hold-overs from the Bush administration run roughshod over the career civil servants and have all but reversed many of the workplace initiatives instituted under Clinton that supported public employees. Obama can simply issue an executive order to for EEO thorough reviews of all agencies. Believe it or not, the EEO issues are directly related to the waste fraud and abuse within the government as political appointees and their selected group of employees circumvent contracting and procurement rules designed to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. Career employees who are the ultimate whistle blowers when it comes to protecting tax=payer dollars are usually women and minorities but are usually hounded out of their positions or ignored completely. Yes, there is a lot that the President can do if only he would.

Rex

(65,616 posts)

5. I think that is why he now has a 'go it alone' strategy.

Reply to kelliekat44 (Reply #4)

Sat Feb 8, 2014, 11:31 PM

Feb 2014

The idiots in Congress simply refuse to help him run the country, he will just have to go it alone. Maybe some sanity will be returned to Congress in 2014.

ProSense

(116,464 posts)

6. Senate passed ENDA in November; Boehner refuses to bring it to a vote.

Reply to ProSense (Original post)

Mon Feb 10, 2014, 08:15 PM

Feb 2014

Breaking: In Historic Vote, Senate Passes ENDA 64-32

by David Badash

In an historic vote not taken since 1996, the U.S. Senate just voted on and passed ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Only a simple majority of “ayes” were needed to pass the bill, but the final vote count was 64-32.

<...>

Senator Harry Reid this morning, in speaking on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, announced, that the “time has come for Congress to pass a federal law that ensures all citizens, regardless of where they live, can go to work not afraid of who they are.” The majority leader, reminded Americans that contrary to their current belief, there is no federal law protecting LGBT from being fired for being LGBT. “Well, it isn’t already the law. Let’s do what the American people think already exists.”

In an early afternoon press conference, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer took his colleagues in the House to task over their inaction.

<...>

If ENDA were to become law, it would protect LGBT people specifically, but all persons of discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The first anti-discrimination bill based on sexual orientation was introduced in 1974. ENDA, in one form or another, has been introduced in every Congress except one since 1994.

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http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/breaking-in-historic-vote-senate-passes-enda/politics/2013/11/07/78279

Roll call: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00232

January 29:

Q And on this broad question again of using executive authority, are there particular sectors where you think -- having done this assessment -- where you think it will be most effective? I mean, obviously you're very focused on a couple of economic initiatives now, but beyond that, can you just give us a sense of where are the areas where you think the President has the most leverage to do it?

MR. CARNEY: <...>

When it comes to the Employment Non-discrimination Act, he is fiercely supportive of that effort, enormously gratified by the fact the Senate took action and very hopeful that the House will follow suit. Because as I've said many times, reflecting his opinion, members of the House who block this are being left at the station as the train moves forward on what would obviously be an America where equal rights are extended to all Americans. So I think his record on LGBT rights is crystal-clear, his position is crystal-clear, and he continues to press Congress to take action on ENDA.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/29/press-gaggle-press-secretary-jay-carney-and-treasury-secretary-jack-lew-

January 30:

Boehner eyes end to ENDA push

By Steve Benen

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) was on the “Tonight Show” last week and reflected a bit about the challenges of his leadership post. “I like to describe my job as trying to get 218 frogs in a wheelbarrow long enough to pass a bill,” he told Jay Leno. “It’s hard to do.”

Often, that’s true, especially given the current circumstances and Congress’ lack of productivity reaching unprecedented levels. Even routine legislating hasn’t been this difficult in recent memory.

But sometimes, putting together 218 votes to pass a bill would be easy if only Boehner would actually bring legislation to the floor for a vote. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, for example, already passed the Senate fairly easily, and would likely pass the House if given a chance. All the Speaker has to do is schedule a vote.

That apparently isn’t going to happen.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) apparently told the 113-member LGBT Equality Caucus that there is “no way” the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would pass this year. According to Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), who spoke with the Washington Blade, Boehner “said it wasn’t going to happen in this session.” The meeting took place sometime last week..

This isn’t exactly surprising, but it’s nevertheless disappointing for civil-rights proponents.

For context, note that Boehner’s previous public comments on ENDA, which would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, came in November.

- more -

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/boehner-eyes-end-enda-push

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