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| Last Updated:
Mar 11, 2010 - 9:20:54 PM |
Collins Lead Co-Sponsor of ENDA, Michaud Takes Pro-Transgendered Stand
 | | Sen. Susan Collins |
 | | Rep. Mike Michaud |
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the homosexual special rights Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) by a vote of 235 to 184. Maine's Congressmen and Senators are split on the issue, but not for immediately apparent reasons.
U.S. Rep Tom Allen, a long-time ally of Maine's homosexual lobby, voted for the bill. U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, an early co-sponsor of the bill, ultimately voted against the bill, but not because he opposed the measure.
Michaud's press secretary, Monica Caspellanos, stated that the ENDA bill was "too weak" due to an amendment removing language from the original bill that would have also given special rights to the transgendered. Michaud's "principled vote" for transgendered rights was met with much fanfare by Maine's radical homosexual lobby.
Referring in part to Michaud's pro-transgendered vote,
the homosexual Washington (D.C.) Blade reported, "The dispute also raised questions about whether a large number of liberal, gay-supportive Democrats might vote against the bill in protest over the transgender issue."
EqualityMaine
issued a press release stating, in part: "We are very proud to have in Congress a representative from Maine who took what may be his most difficult yet principled vote ever. Congressman Michael Michaud voted yesterday to leave no one in the LGBT community behind!
"Please take a moment to contact Congressman Mike Michaud and thank him for his principled vote on ENDA:
(202) 225-6306, or through his Chief of Staff at peter.chandler@mail.house.gov"
The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate, where Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy is the sponsor of the bill. Maine's two Republican Senators have decidedly different views on the issue.
 | | Sen. Susan Collins |
It is widely believed that Senator Olympia Snowe will oppose ENDA. Senator Susan Collins, however, has
come out publicly and announced she will be the lead co-sponsor of the special homosexual rights bill.
Collins is running for re-election in 2008, hoping to get a third term in the Senate. Her likely Democrat opponent will be current U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who has announced his intention to vacate his House seat to oppose Collins next year.
Maine Democrat State Senator Ethan Strimling has announced earlier this year his intention to fill the Congressional seat vacated by Allen. Strimling is viewed by many to be the most "gay-friendly" of the candidates for Congress. He has recently called traditional marriage supporters "forces of evil" and had a
"Coming Out Party" fundraiser at a homosexual bar in Ogunquit.
The U.S. Senate will likely have debate on ENDA later this month, and vote on the bill by the end of 2007. With Senator Collins's leadership, the Senate is expected to have enough votes to pass the homosexual special rights bill.
President Bush's legal advisors have publicly stated their advice to the President will be to veto the bill if it reaches the President's desk. Neither the House nor the Senate is expected to have enough votes to override the President's expected veto.
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