House begins ENDA debate
Republicans call for vote on trans amendment
By LOU CHIBBARO JR. Nov 7, 2007

The House of Representatives began its debate on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act today, marking the first time a gay employment rights bill has reached the House floor in the more than 30 years since such a bill was first introduced.

The debate, which followed French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s address before a joint session of Congress, began with a heated discussion over a rule proposed by Democrats that allows gay Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) to introduce an amendment adding transgender protections to the bill.

In a development that drew strong opposition from Democrats, Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) introduced a motion to remove from the Democratic drafted rule a provision that would allow Baldwin to withdraw her amendment before a vote could be taken on it. Hastings’ motion, which was expected to be put to a vote, would force a vote on the Baldwin amendment. the rest