Does Obama see ENDA as part of jobs issue?

[The Philosopher]

from The Washington Blade

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney declined to directly answer whether the Obama administration sees the lack of federal non-discrimination protections for LGBT workers as a jobs issue.

Asked by the Washington Blade on Thursday whether the lack of such protections is a part of the larger employment problem facing the country, Carney said Obama believes LGBT people “should absolutely not be discriminated against with regards to jobs or anything else,” but he noted that unemployment and slow growth affects all Americans.

...

LGBT Americans face unique problems with job security because no federal laws exist barring workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Discriminating against workers — or even firing them — is legal on the basis of sexual orientation in 29 states and on the basis of gender identity in 35 states.

Obama supports legislation known as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, but the legislation didn’t pass in the last Congress when Democrats held majorities in both chambers. The bill is unlikely to pass as long as Republicans remain in control of the House.

Meanwhile, President Obama has called on Congress to pass the American Jobs Act — a $450 billion economic stimulus package — to increase the job opportunities available for Americans, and has toured the country to encourage lawmakers to act on the legislation. The bill has a variety of components, but none that address workplace discrimination against LGBT people.


http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/10/28/does-obama-see-enda-as-part-of-jobs-issue/">Click Here To Read More

[laconicsax]

1. Why would he?

Seems that his fierce advocacy would prevent him from seeing the big picture.