HOW DID YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE VOTE THIS WEEK?

November 11, 2013 In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Employment Nondiscrimination – Passage Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Drug Quality and Security House: Health Plans

Recent Senate Votes

Employment Nondiscrimination – Passage - Vote Passed (64-32, 4 Not Voting) Senators passed a bill prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity on Thursday after a week of negotiations and close procedural votes. The bill would bar employers from firing, refusing to promote or refusing to hire workers because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Similar bills have been introduced over recent years, and one passed the House in 2007 before dying in the Senate. This current piece of legislation extends equal employment protection to transgendered individuals for the first time. The bill exempts employers not subject to existing workplace discrimination laws concerning employees’ religions, primarily churches and religious schools. Before the final vote, ten Republicans joined the Democratic caucus in securing the three-fifths vote majority required to invoke cloture. The House is unlikely to vote on the bill. Sen. Richard Shelby voted NO Sen. Jeff Sessions voted Not Voting

Upcoming Votes

Drug Quality and Security - H.R.3204 The Senate returns Tuesday to consider legislation that updates regulations of pharmacies that compound drugs. Health Plans - H.R.3350 The House is scheduled to debate a bill that allows individuals to keep their health coverage plans, even if they have received cancellation notices. The plans may not meet minimum coverage requirements established in the 2010 health care overhaul, but would be “grandfathered” for another year through 2014.