Law targeting workplace discrimination against gays could pass, Iowa's Harkin says

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said in Iowa on Friday that a proposed law designed to protect gays and lesbians from workplace discrimination would have enough support to pass in the House if it were introduced next week.

Harkin said "powerful forces" want to stop the Employment Non-Discrimination Act or ENDA, which would outlaw discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. ENDA passed in the Senate by a 64-32 bipartisan vote on Nov. 7.

Opponents, such as advocacy group Heritage Action, say the law would infringe on employer's religious liberties and is a government overstep into the rights of business owners.

Harkin, who has been a main advocate of the bill for years, was touting its passage during stops in Iowa City and Cedar Falls on Friday. He will be in Cedar Rapids today.

Harkin continued to pressure House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, who opposes ENDA, to introduce the bill so the House can vote on it.

"If that bill were to come up on the House floor it would pass," Harkin told about 40 people at Prairie Lights bookstore in Iowa City. "President Obama is ready to sign it. We must demand Speaker Boehner put it on the floor for a vote. What is he afraid of? Is he afraid it will pass? He must be because we know it will pass. We know it has the votes on the floor of the house to pass."

Harkin said lawmakers should not go home for Christmas, Hannukah or New Years until the bill passes.

Boehner has said ENDA would increase frivolous lawsuits and is already covered by existing law. Some bill supporters fear he will not allow a vote, which could doom the future of the bill.

While in Iowa City, Harkin also spoke about problems with the roll out of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Harkin defended Obamacare saying "compared to what we have it is wonderful," and he said that while adjustments are needed its "foundation is secure." The website can now handle 17,000 people an hour, he said.

Harkin cautioned that a bill sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., which passed through the House with some Democratic support today, would derail the Affordable Care Act. That bill would allow insurers to issue new health plans that would be canceled under the Affordable Care Act.

"Healthy people will stay out of the system, which will drive up rates for everyone," Harkin said of what would happen if Upton's bill succeeds.

On Thursday, President Barack Obama allowed a one-year extension for existing insurance plans that would be cancelled under the Affordable Care Act. Harkin said he did not support the extension.