Murkowski Votes to Curb Discrimination in the Workplace
Senator: “Discrimination Should Never be Tolerated in the Workplace
WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Lisa Murkowski today voted in favor of the bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act this morning, which passed out of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee (HELP) on a 15-7 vote.
“I was pleased to be able to support the Employee Non-Discrimination Act passing out of committee today. I am a strong believer that individuals should be judged on whether they can do the job, not their sexual orientation – and I appreciate the hundreds of Alaskans who shared their thoughts with me and my staff as we considered this bill.
“Like any proposed legislation that affects employers and employees alike, the appropriate balance must be struck between protecting employees against discrimination in the workplace while also making sure employers are not unduly burdened with compliance costs – as well as striking the appropriate balance among legal remedies and redress. Provisions in this bill attempt to address employers’ needs to run efficiently and reduce compliance costs, specifically prohibit preferential treatment and quotas, do not permit disparate impact lawsuits, and provide a religious exemption. Improvements might be in order in the form of floor amendments, but discrimination should never be tolerated in the workplace.”
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