WASHINGTON (AP) – All Democrats in the Senate are backing a bill that would prohibit employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sen. Joe Manchin was the last holdout. His spokesman said Oct. 30 that the West Virginia senator supported the legislation that the full Senate could vote on in the coming weeks.
Majority Leader Harry Reid needs 60 votes to stop a likely filibuster. Reid now has the support of all 52 Democrats, two independents and is expected to get the vote of Democrat Cory Booker, who will be sworn in Thursday.
Four Republicans back the measure – Mark Kirk of Illinois, Susan Collins of Maine, Orrin Hatch of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
