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Arkansas Delegation Set to Vote on Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Bill

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It's expected the US Senate will hold a test vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, this Monday. KUAR's Jacob Kauffman has more on where Arkansas's congressional delegation stands on the bill. 

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Various incarnations of the bill, designed to prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, have been circulating since 1974. This latest time around the likelihood of it passing through the Senate seems higher with all of the chambers' Democratic lawmakers, including Mark Pryor, saying in advance of the vote they support the legislation.

However, it's been the case in recent years most issues require a super-majority of 60 votes to end the threat of a filibuster. But Majority Leader Harry Reid says there are enough likely Republican supporters to make him confident the bill will pass. At this time none of Arkansas' Republican lawmakers have indicated their support.

A final Senate vote is expected sometime this week after Monday's test vote, at which time the legislation likely faces a more difficult path in the majority Republican House.

Jacob Kauffman, KUAR News

Jacob Kauffman is a former news anchor and reporter for KUAR.
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