WASHINGTON â┚¬â€ Two openly gay members of Congress are urging their colleagues to pass a bill that would protect gays and transsexuals from workplace bias.
Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank and Wisconsin Rep. Tammy Baldwin, both Democrats, told a House panel Wednesday that it’s time to extend federal anti-discrimination laws to sexual orientation. The House passed a similar bill two years ago, but it stalled in the Senate. A House vote is expected later this year.
Frank said that larger Democratic majorities in the House and Senate make passage more likely this time. Religious conservatives and other opponents say the legislation is not necessary and would lead to an explosion in costly litigation.
