What a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for contacting me to share your opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, H.R. 3685. Hearing from constituents on issues of concern is important to me and our office as we work to represent our district.
H.R. 3685 seeks to prevent both public and private employers and labor unions from discriminating against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation with respect to hiring and firing decisions, compensation, and terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. Nor could employers or labor unions limit, segregate, or classify individuals in any way, on the basis of sexual orientation, that would deprive or tend to deprive them of employment opportunities. Representative Barney Frank (MA) introduced the bill on April 24, 2007. It was then referred to the House Committees on Education and Labor, Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary. In seeking to combat discrimination, this bill would actually prohibit private employers and religious groups from using discretion and drawing upon their moral beliefs in the hiring process. You will be pleased to know that I will oppose this legislation should it come before the House Floor for a vote.
Please know that I appreciate both your interest and your time in contacting us on this issue. As the discussion and debate moves forward on this and other issues please feel free to visit our website at www.house.gov/blackburn where you can sign-up for our email update -- the Blackburn Report, updates on important issues; find information on constituent services; read columns, recent press and the latest legislative news; all of which affect and concern the people of Tennessee.
Sincerely,
Marsha Blackburn
Member of Congress
Greg from the LEFT...not Greg from Focus on the Family!
