Congressional Hispanic Caucus Endorses ENDA

Washington, DC- Today the Congressional Hispanic Caucus voted to endorse the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The legislation would ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

“ENDA is an important long overdue civil rights law,” said CHC Civil Rights Task Force Chair Rep. Linda Sánchez. “Equality shouldn’t wait. We need to break down the barriers of intolerance and bigotry that have kept too many talented people out of the workplace. The vast majority of Americans believe that job performance is what should determine whether you get hired, fired or promoted. It’s time for the House to pass ENDA and end workplace discrimination.”

"Discrimination of any sort is unacceptable and goes against our country's values of freedom and equality. I applaud my colleague Congresswoman Linda Sánchez for her leadership on this important issue and look forward to continuing the work with my CHC colleagues. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus will keep working to ensure that Congress continues moving forward on ENDA," said CHC Chairman Rubén Hinojosa.

Last month, the U.S. Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by a bipartisan margin of 64-32. ENDA would end workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Leaders from Latino and LGBT organizations are now calling on House Speaker John Boehner to allow a House of Representatives vote on these critically important LGBT protections.

ENDA is supported by a number of Hispanic organizations, including the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF), the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Trans-Latina Coalition. For a full list of organizations, click here.