Republican Senator Dean Heller Becomes Critical 60th Vote For LGBT Job Protections

[Mass]

Sorry if this was already posted. It kind of surprised me.

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/11/04/2882301/republican-senator-dean-heller-critical-60th-vote-lgbt-job-protections/

Republican Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) just announced his support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), making him the critical 60th vote needed to bring the bill to the Senate floor:
HELLER: After listening to Nevadans’ concerns about this issue from a variety of viewpoints and after numerous conversations with my colleagues, I feel that supporting this legislation is the right thing to do. Under the leadership of this Governor, as well as the legislature over the past several years Nevada has established a solid foundation of anti-discrimination laws. This legislation raises the federal standards to match what we have come to expect in Nevada, which is that discrimination must not be tolerated under any circumstance

[William769]

1. This gives me hope that there may even be crossovers in the House.

[MineralMan]

4. I think there will, if the bill gets to the floor.

That's the biggest challenge in the House. I know that Nancy Pelosi is working on a plan to get it on the floor. Fingers crossed.

[geek tragedy]

5. The question is whether it even gets a vote in the House nt

[Mass]

6. Yes, and I wonder what the excuse will be?

Too many regulations hurt business

OR

Protect bigots' freedom of expression?

Because, of course, most of those opposing the bill will claim they are not bigot (most, not all. Paul Broun will proudly tell us about the Bible).

[geek tragedy]

7. Boehner's answer: 'frivolous' lawsuits

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/04/john-boehner-enda_n_4212250.html?1383575154

Of course, to bigots like Boehner GLBT civil rights have always been 'frivolous'

[Mass]

8. So, another version of excuse 1.

Same people who refused to support equal pay for women, and would probably have voted against the Civil Rights Act. (but they support equality for LGBT, women, and minorities. :sarcasm

[davidpdx]

11. I've been wondering the same thing

If the fundies and Tea Party have their way and convince Boner to not bring it up unless it has a majority of support in the R caucus then it could be screwed.

[pinto]

2. +1

[MineralMan]

3. Doing the right thing should be a no-brainer.

Sadly, it is not. I'm glad Senator Heller has made the right choice. The House may be a tougher chamber for this one, but there may be a path to approval. Fingers crossed and emails sent.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

9. Nevada has become a lot more blue since Dubya.

[azurnoir]

10. Good for Senator Heller

now let's see if the bill makes it through the House

[Rebellious Republican]

12. Nice try Senator, he knows Boehner is going to kill it....

He thinks he wins for looking moderate knowing it is going no where.

[efhmc]

14. I am as cynical as the next person about repukes but look at

how many still did not vote for this bill even if it is not going anywhere in the Congress. His vote will be recorded and can make a difference even if for only a moment. And you know maybe he really does think this way and this is making it easier to vote the way he thinks is right. So sad to think it is so difficult to do the right thing in our government today, even if one wants to.

[Rebellious Republican]

16. You have been around for a few days, thats the only reason I will not give a

flame for response. Unless you really want to hear my feelings?

[efhmc]

17. Sure. I can take it. I know I have no idea what this person is really like but

I am sad that no one can do anything anymore without there being an underlying motive. Why can't it ever be because one is convinced it's the right thing to do. My old desire to see the best in humanity doesn't seem to be working anymore, especially in our government. I wish they all could be Senator Leahy. I love that man. Unfortunately I have the dregs Cornyn and Cruz. Still, I hope for better.

[pinboy3niner]

18. Boehner will get a lot of pressure on this

Some of it from within his own party. There are some sane Republicans who see the handwriting on the wall and view their current approach on civil rights issues as self-defeating and ultimately suicidal.

[Rebellious Republican]

20. I hope you are right pinboy.

I do not hold out much hope on your Boehner theory. He has shown is ass to many times, we will see.

[gopiscrap]

13. excellent

[pinboy3niner]

15. The 7 Republicans who voted with Dems:

Ayotte (NH)
Collins (ME)
Hatch (UT)
Heller (NV)
Kirk (IL)
Portman (OH)
Toomey (PA)

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00229#position

[MADem]

19. This is significant.

Is NV becoming more liberal?

This guy is "safe," though, in that he can afford to be brave and stand up to the Tea Partiers, because he slid into his seat as an appointee (he replaced the disgraced John Ensign) and then won his seat in a regular election just last year....so he's not going to feel any heat from the bigots until 2019, which probably influenced his decision.

Anyway, it doesn't matter why at this stage, it just matters that he does the right thing.

[Initech]

21. This isn't just an LGBT issue, it's a civil rights issue, it affects all of us!

Anti discrimination can apply to anyone and anything. I hope that they get this passed before Obama leaves office!