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Pallone Statement on Department of Labor’s Announced Rule to Protect LGBT Employees from Workplace Discrimination

December 3, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Frank Pallone issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Department of Labor’s announced rule to protect federal contract workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The rule will formally implement Executive Order 13672, signed by President Obama in July 2014:

“Today’s announcement by the Department of Labor confirms what we already know: what matters in the workplace is how you do your job, not who you are or who you love. No one in this country should be subjected to discrimination and harassment at work. I commend Secretary Perez and the Department of Labor for taking a critical step today to implement President Obama’s Executive Order and to ensure that members of the LGBT community receive the same protections afforded to all other Americans.

“While this is an important step towards prohibiting discrimination in the workplace for federal contractors, there is more work that needs to be done. Congress has an obligation to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and guarantee fairness in the workplace for every American employee. Congress must schedule a vote on ENDA immediately in order to provide these same protections to all LGBT workers—not just those fortunate enough to be covered by this particular rule.

“I remain committed to working in Congress to make sure that all Americans are free to work without the threat of harassment or discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Today’s announcement by the Department of Labor, though, serves as a crucial step forward in our efforts to guarantee LGBT equality in this country.”