A couple of Republican-leaning billionaires have kicked off a $2.2 million campaign aimed at pressuring the GOP-led House to pass protections for the LGBT community in the workplace.
Americans for Workplace Opportunity, backed by billionaires Paul Singer and Seth Klarman, is pushing for a Senate-endorsed bill addressing the measure to be passed through the House by the end of 2014, Politico reported.
“We really see this as an important piece of unfinished business for LGBT workers and people around the country,” said Campbell Spencer, the manager of the campaign, according to Politico.
Mr. Singer and Mr. Klarman have each donated $375,000 to the cause. Human Rights Campaign contributed another $1.36 million, Politico reported.
The Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act a few months ago. The House bill has 202 co-sponsors, only six of whom are Republican. Speaker John Boehner has already said he opposes the bill.
Federal law does not currently list LGBTs in its protections against discrimination in the private sector workplace.
“Our field campaign is the heart of our strategy and absolutely is what lead to the success in the Senate,” Mr. Spencer told Politico. “We are duplicating it in the House. Each district has its own plan that’s tailored specifically to that member.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.