WRATH OF RIGHT SLOWS ENDA
By Rev. Ted Pike
17 May 10
Homosexual online newspaper The Washington Blade says the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act is stalled—largely because “the
right-wing has effectively turned [it] into a debate over letting men
use women’s restrooms.”
The Blade is talking about YOUR heavy protest calling, not
only to your members of Congress, but especially the 13 uncommitted
Senators whom Truthtellers.org has
listed for the last two weeks.
The Blade references Politico.com’s May 14 article
which describes the increasing reluctance of moderate Democrats to
tackle controversial issues this year. Politico reports, “There’s
little appetite among Democrats to have a fight on any more controversial
issues before they face the voters.” The Blade adds “it’s
becoming increasingly clear that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is undergoing
pressure to shield vulnerable Democrats…The writing is on the
proverbial wall: ENDA is on the ropes.”
New England’s largest LGBT online newspaper, BayWindows.com,
cites Roll Call, which specializes in covering Congressional legislation.
This source agrees, “[Democratic] Leadership has grown quiet—no
more regular expressions of optimism and predictions for when Congress
will take up the bill, and the waiting game is wearing on nerves.”
Yet the homosexual lobby remains determined to pass ENDA regardless
of its adverse affect on Democrats at mid-terms. BayWindows.com says, “Ron
Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force,
says, ‘We have enough quotes to pass ENDA in committee and in
the House, which tells us that our vigorous lobbying and grassroots
engagement efforts are very effective.’” Roll Call reports
that “senior Democratic aides and lawmakers” believe ENDA
could be on the House floor this month. One such aide told Bay Windows “Democratic
leaders would likely be discussing timing next week and there should
be more ‘clarity’ on timing by the end of this month.”
LGBT sources say they fear Republican efforts to “recommit” the
bill, forcing it to restart its legislative trajectory. What makes
them most nervous (and what they hope the right won’t
notice) is continued unwillingness of at least 13 Senators to publicly
support ENDA. If such support does not materialize soon, House LBGT
leaders are extremely reluctant to push ENDA, even though it would
probably pass the House. Further impeding ENDA is the strong likelihood
that the Senate will not have time on their schedule to vote on ENDA
before summer recess.
If ENDA goes forward now, controversy over it will dominate summer
politics straight up to the mid-term elections. Over the past several
Congresses, Democrats for the first 18 months have attempted to wreck
our nation’s morals and take away freedom through pro-homosexual
hate crimes laws. But for the last six months before mid-terms, they
have endeavored to transform their reputations into defenders of family
values. Now, controversy over Democrats’desire
to allow “transitioning” men into female restrooms and
showers would send the worst possible message to mid-term voters.
Finally, if ENDA were actually defeated in the House and Senate, it
would make ENDA a two-time loser—weakening its chances for reintroduction
next January. Many Democratic leaders are thus open to the wisdom of
not moving ENDA forward at this time.
Since May 1, when Truthtellers.org first
published the names of 13 undecided Senators, perhaps thousands of
angry Americans have called them. Here again are the crucial 13 Senators
we must make absolutely sure do not vote for ENDA:
- Mark Warner (D-VA)
- Kent Conrad (D-ND)
- Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
- Tim Johnson (D-SD)
- Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
- Robert Byrd (D-WV)
- Harry Reid (D-NV)
- Max Baucus (D-MT)
- Ben Nelson (D-NE)
- John Tester (D-MT)
- Kay Hagan (D-NC)
- Evan Bayh (D-IN)
- Scott Brown (R-MA)
Keep pressuring the above Senators, phoning toll-free at 1-877-851-6437.
Also call the members of the Senate from your state with the following
message,
“Please tell the Senator not to vote for the disgusting
ENDA bill, S.1584. It would lead to male employees, who claim
they want to become women, using female restroom and shower facilities.
We will never forgive the Democrats, especially at midterms,
if the Senator votes for this obscene legislation.”
Rev. Ted Pike is director of the National Prayer Network, a Christian/conservative
watchdog organization.
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