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Portman Votes For Anti-discrimination Bill

The U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday that bans workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio is among those who voted in favor of the measure. Emily McCord of member station WSYO in Yellow Springs reports.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, would prohibit employers from hiring, firing or promotion practices based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Portman joined the Democratic majority to back the bill, but only after his amendment was added that exempted religious employers from ENDA.

“The legislation is not perfect but I believe the amendment improved it. And I do believe in the underlying premise of this legislation which is that people should not face discrimination because of who they are,” Portman told reporters in a conference call.

Portman recently shifted his stance on gay rights earlier in the year after he learned his son is gay, and supported same-sex marriage. His approval rating among Republicans dipped after his reversal on the issue.

The bill has little hope, though, in the House. Republican Speaker John Boehner opposes it, and says it will only lead to “frivolous lawsuits”.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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