Guess what's on next week's markup schedule? Not ENDA.
The House Committee on Education and Labor has published its schedule for next week, and ENDA is not there. ENDA could be marked up the following week, but there wouldn't be enough time to get it to the floor for a vote before the House left for the winter vacation.
However, I spoke to a contact on the Committee, and was advised that it is possible that ENDA could still be scheduled for a markup next week, with the proviso that 72 hours notice are required. No answer to my question about how likely that is.
So, although the sands of time are slipping rapidly to the bottom of the hourglass, a miracle could still occur. Let's go for it! Call the members of the House Committee on Education and Labor and ask that they move ENDA forward.
Yesterday, through the magic of technology (thank you MaestroConference, which donated its services), and with the help of Todd Fernandez of Equality NYC, I co-hosted a national open conference call on the subject of how to get the Employment Non-Discrimination Act moving. We had about 50 people on the call, and though our numbers may have been few, there were a lot of heavy-hitters and good ideas.
We generated several action ideas, but after consulting with my DC friends, I learned that some of them might be counterproductive. My best guess at this point is to call the Committee Members and demand action.
Demand Action!
Look at which of the following members of the House Committee on Labor and Education are in or near your state. Call (202) 224-3121 and ask the House operator to connect you to one of the Representatives listed below. When you get their office, ask that they request a markup from Chairman George Miller on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, HR 3017.
Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ)
Rep. Judy Chu (CA)
Rep. Susan Davis (CA)
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA)
Rep. Joe Courtney (CT)
Rep. Jared Polis (CO)
Rep. Mazie Hirono (HI)
Rep. Judy Biggert (IL)
Rep. David Loebsack (IA)
Rep. Phil Hare (IL)
Rep. John Tierney (MA)
Dale Kildee (MI)
Rep. Dina Titus (NV)
Rep. Carol Shea Porter (NH)
Rep. Robert Andrews (NJ)
Rep. Rush Holt (NJ)
Rep. Donald Payne (NJ)
Rep. Tim Bishop (NY)
Rep. Yvette Clark (NY)
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY)
Rep. Paul Tonko (NY)
Rep. Marcia Fudge (OH)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH)
Rep. David Wu (OR)
Rep. Todd Platts (PA)
Rep. Joe Sestak (PA)
Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (TX)
Rep. Bobby Scott (VA)
We may or may not be able to get the bill moving in time to get it to a floor vote this year, but at least we will know that we did not let our rights slip away quietly without a fuss. We will not go gentle into that good night.
This post was originally written by Dr. Jillian T. Weiss at Bilerico. It is reposted here with her permission.